House of Representatives, Wednesday approved direct and indirect primary clauses as a mode of electing candidates by political parties for general elections.
This means the Green Chamber has reversed to what was originally in the extant law, the Electoral Act of 2010, before the National Assembly in the course of amending the Act expunged ‘indirect’ primary mode, leaving only direct primary.
The removal of the indirect primary was the main reason given by President Muhammadu Buhari while declining his assent to the amended act in December.
The President cited the impracticality of the direct primary mode at this time of the nation’s history.
The rejection however compelled the House and indeed the Senate to reconsider the bill and vote to include “direct and indirect primary” provision in the electoral bill.
Reconsidering the bill in the Committee of the Whole a while ago, the House unanimously passed the provision.
Earlier before the plenary on Wednesday, the speaker of the house, Femi Gbajabiamila, said in his words on Tuesday that the bills would be reintroduced by Wednesday.
The bill is listed in the order paper containing lists of items to be discussed at plenary,true to his words.
Besides, the bill is also listed for consideration. Titled “Recommital of Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021”, the bill is standing in the name of the Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Abubarkar Fulata.
“The House notes that the Electoral Act (Amendment) bill was passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to the President for assent but the assent was withheld
“Also notes that in withholding the assent, the President particularly referred to the amendment of section 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010 dealing with the mode of nomination of candidates by political parties
“Further notes that section 87(2) of the electoral act 2010 provides that the procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties elective positions shall be by direct and indirect primaries
“Recalls that the national assembly amended section 87 (2) of the electoral act 2010 as clause 84(2) of the electoral act (amendment) bill 2021 to read thus:
“The Procedure for nomination of candidates by political parties for various elective positions shall be by direct primaries”
“Cognizant of the need to allow political parties to choose the procedure for nomination of candidates for elective positions.
“The House resolves to commit section 84(2) of the Electoral Act (Amendment) bill, 2021 to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration in accordance with Order 12, Rule 20 (1-3) of the Standing Order of the House”, the Order Paper stated.
Meanwhile, the House is currently in executive session.
After conferring with principal officers on what’s likely not unconnected to the issue,the speaker announced the session.
