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Signing Of Electoral Act Amendment Bill Is Victory For Democracy, Says YIAGA Africa

The Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth, and Advancement (YIAGA) Africa has described the signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill as a watershed in Nigeria’s democratic journey.


YIAGA Executive Director, Samson Itodo

 

The Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth, and Advancement (YIAGA) Africa has described the signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill as a watershed in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

Executive Director of the pro-democracy group, Samson Itodo, said this on Thursday when he featured in a Channels Television’s special programme on the signing of the bill.

“I am happy and I am so proud. And this has renewed our faith in democracy. Congratulations to Nigerians. This is [a] victory for democracy,” he said during the show.

According to him, the development is further proof of what the citizens can achieve if they work together for a common goal. He expressed optimism that the new law will transform Nigeria’s “electoral process if implemented to the letter”.

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Upholding Public Interest

President Muhammadu Buhari with others at the signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill in Abuja on February 25, 2022.

 

Itodo also hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for acceding to “demands of the citizens and stakeholders”.  The YIAGA Africa boss said the signing of the bill is coming about a year before Nigerians go to the poll.

“I’m glad that the president upheld public interest over and above every other interest. I would like to congratulate and thank him for that,” Itodo added, just as he thanked the National Assembly for their responsiveness since the process began.

He said despite issues with some clauses in the bill, the lawmakers prioritised the issue and devoted resources to ensuring the Electoral Act Amendment Bill comes into force.

“We urge the National Assembly. The same way they responded on this issue that they extend [the] same to other pro-people legislation. To the Nigerian people, to the media, what we recorded today, this victory for democracy, wouldn’t have been possible without the role that the media played, without the role that citizens played,” he said.

For the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the YIAGA helmsman says they should “without further delay issue notice of election early next week and announce new dates for the election because the President assented to this after February 22nd”.

Buhari’s signing of the bill on Friday signalled the end to a rigorous process that saw inputs from relevant stakeholders. The Nigerian leader had late last year vetoed the bill, citing the direct primary clause.

The National Assembly reworked the bill and sent it back to Buhari for his assent. But the delay in signing the amended bill into law triggered concerns from Nigerians, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.