PDP asks national assembly to override Buhari on electoral amendment bill

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the national assembly to override President Muhammadu Buhari on the electoral act amendment bill.

The party made the call in a statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, its national publicity secretary.

Buhari had declined assent to the bill, citing “some drafting issues that remain unaddressed following the prior revisions to the bill”.

The PDP, however, said Buhari’s veto did not come as a surprise “since his commitment to a free and fair 2019 election was mere lip service”.

“It is now manifestly clear to Nigerians that all the reasons adduced by President Buhari for withholding his assent in the past were lame excuses,” the statement read.

“The clerical and drafting arguments put forward by President Buhari could not in any way outweigh the importance of amendments meant to engender free, fair, credible and transparent elections in 2019.

“The PDP therefore charges the national assembly to stand with Nigerians in the overall quest for credible elections by immediately overriding President Buhari on the bill.”