Electoral Act: Buhari betrayed oath of office, an affront on Nigerians – SERAP

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has berated President Muhammadu Buhari for withholding assent on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.

SERAP said Buhari’s failure to assent the bill was a betrayal of the oath of office he swore.

The body stressed that Buhari’s action was an affront to the right of Nigerians to participate in government.

In a tweet, SERAP noted that the bill would improve transparency in the country’s electoral process.

According to SERAP: “BREAKING: President Buhari’s failure to sign the electoral bill that would improve transparency of the electoral process is a betrayal of his constitutional oath of office.

“It’s an affront to Nigerians’ right to participate in their government. He must immediately sign the bill.”

Buhari had withheld assent of the electoral Act due to the situation in the country.

The president’s position was contained in a letter he sent to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan.

Buhari also cited the high cost of conducting direct primaries, the security challenge of monitoring the election, violation of citizens’ rights and marginalization of small political parties, amongst other things as reasons why he won’t assent the bill.