Electoral Act Amendment Bill: Why NASS won’t veto Buhari – Adesina

By Christiana Ekpa

The Presidency has hinted that the National Assembly will not override President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto on the Electoral Amendment Bill, given that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) controls over 80 percent of members of parliament.

Speaking on a Channels Television programme, Sunday Politics, President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, explained that since APC controls a large percentage of the National Assembly, the President’s decision on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill may stand.

Adesina, who expressed confidence that APC lawmakers in the National Assembly will opt for party allegiance, said: “Well let’s not forget that this National Assembly particularly is made of more than 70, about 80 per cent of APC members and you don’t have a party kicking against itself.

“It is not like the last National Assembly in which you had the opposition coming from the party. No, this is a more responsive and responsible National Assembly and they will do what is good for our democracy. They will do what is good for the party.

“Well, overriding a veto is part of democracy or is it the expedient thing to do at a particular time? That is the question. That is what the APC will use its majority in the National Assembly to determine. Is it expedient to override the president? If it is not, then what are the other options? That is what needs to be looked at?”