Amaechi, Malami Trapped As Senate Rejects Buhari’s Amendments Of Electoral Act

The Senate on Wednesday threw out President Muhammdu Buhari’s Bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act, 2022 to allow appointed political office appointees to contest election.

The Bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act 2022 and for related matters, 2022,” was overwhelmingly rejected by Senators, a development that effectively stopped its second reading.

The Bill scaled first reading on Tuesday despite a court order barring the Senate from acting on it.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan challenged the Court order saying that the Judiciary cannot in any circumstances stop the Legislature from performing its constitutional duties.

Before the Senate commenced consideration of the Bill on Wednesday, Senator Adamu Aliero had, while citing order 52(5) of the Senate Standing Rules, urged the Senate President to jettison proposed action on the Bill.

Lawan was however adamant. He reiterated his position that only senators may reject the Bill and not the judiciary seeking to stop the chamber from performing its lawful duties through an order.

Senators however voted overwhelmingly against the Bill to stop it from being read a second time.

GreenWhiteGreen GWG reports that the bill before the Senate aimed to amend the Electoral Act to remove the provisions that stop appointed political office holders from contesting elections. The Act as it stands provides that any appointed political office holder desirous of contesting election should resign his office before partaking in the party primary.

Among those believed to be particularly affected are possible presidential aspirants including Rotimi Amaechi, Emeka Nwajiuba, respectively ministers of transportation and minister of state for Education. Abubakar Malami, SAN, the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and minister of justice has also been mentioned as a possible victim given reported speculations about him as a presidential running mate and governorship intentions in Kebbi State.

With additional reports from The Nation

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