PDP Governors Urge National Assembly to Override Buhari's Veto on Electoral Act

Strategic Insights -

The Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called on the National Assembly to hasten their decision on the contentious Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021. The bill, which was assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari in December, has been met with opposition from the governors, who are seeking to override the president's veto. The governors, in a communique issued after their meeting in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, emphasized the importance of an early concluded Electoral Act for credible elections.

Key Takeaways:

  • The PDP Governors Forum has called on the National Assembly to override President Muhammadu Buhari's veto on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021, citing the need for an early concluded Electoral Act for credible elections.
  • The governors expressed regret over President Buhari's refusal to approve state policing, a major reason for the growth of insurgencies and banditry in Nigeria.
  • The governors berated the APC-led government's dictatorial disposition, specifically criticizing the ban on Twitter for seven months, which they say has caused harm to Nigerian youth.
  • Only 10 out of 13 PDP governors attended the meeting, which was hosted by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
  • The governors' communique was read by Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who is the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum.
  • The governors advised the National Assembly to sustain President Buhari's veto to deny him the opportunity to truncate a reformed Electoral jurisprudence for Nigeria.

Statistics:

  • 13 PDP governors were present at the meeting, but only 10 attended.
  • The meeting was hosted by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
  • The PDP Governors Forum has been advocating for state policing for over a year now.
  • President Muhammadu Buhari has vetoed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021 three times.

Sources:

  • "PDP Governors Forum" (January 3, 2022)
  • "Governors under the aegis of PDP Governors Forum, in their resolution advised the NASS to explore..." (January 3, 2022)
  • "President Muhammadu Buhari restated his stance against state policing in a recent interview with Channels Television" (no date provided)
  • Channels Television (no date provided)