The Red Card Movement (RCM) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to append his signature to Electoral Act Bill as amended by the National Assemby.
The movement in a release signed by one of its co- chair, Dr. Tony Akabuno, said that it was distrubing and worisome that three months to the general election, the president is still withholding his assent to the Bill.
“Red Card Movement wishes to state that we are disturbed by the emerging sad fact that less than three (3) months to the 2019 general elections, the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018 is not yet signed into law.
“This portends grave danger for our politics and polity,. We cannot go into the 2019 general elections without a comprehensive rule book that addresses our genuine concerns as a people. As a citizens’ movement that strongly advocates for good governance and responsible leadership, we call on the president to respect the wish of citizens and sign into law the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.”
Thevgroup further said that by “President Mohammadu Buhari by refusing to sign the amendment Bill into law after a fourth review by the Joint Committee of the National Assembly, would have unwittingly abused the principle of his veto power and set Nigeria on the inglorious path of chaos and political unrest in the coming days.
“The reason for this delay of assent, as advanced by the president, is attributed to ‘executive scrutiny’. This is unacceptable, especially, given that the said document have had three turns of reviews by this executive.”
RCM also observed that the “continued refusal to give assent to this Bill represents a plot by the ruling party to rig the 2019 elections.
“We implore Mr. President, as a matter of urgency, to give assent to the 2018 Electoral Act as amended, so that the Card Reader amongst other germane provisions of the amendment can have a legal footing in its deployment by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
“We equally wish to use this medium to appeal to all Nigerians and eligible voters to conduct themselves within the ambit of the law, before, during and after the forthcoming general elections. We also appeal to the Federal Government and its security agencies to respect the fundamental human rights of every Nigerian citizen at all times, especially as we approach the make or mar 2019 general elections.”
