By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – Governor of Rivers State, Nyeson Wike, has congratulated the National Assembly over the amended Electoral Bill, recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, but expressed reservation over the delay by the president before it was signed.
Wike described the ammendment as a victory for Nigerians as it would reduce electoral violence, give credibility to the electoral process and make popular acceptance the route to public office.
He said, “We are glad Mr President has bowed to pressure and signed the ammended electoral act into law but he shouldn’t have allowed Nigerians pass through this level of emotions and tension before doing the right thing.
“Mr President’s call for an ammendment of the clause which requires political appointees to resign before contesting party primaries is questionable. It is obvious he is trying to influence the process in favour of his appointees that might want to contest elections.
“Laws should be made in the interest of Nigerians and not for a few cronies. If he believes in free and fair elections and for everyone to have a level playing field Mr President wouldn’t demand for an ammendment of the clause which requires political appointees to resign before participating in party primaries.
“I commend the National Assembly for listening to the voice of Nigerians and including the usage of smart card readers and electronic transmission of results in our laws.
“To everyone who spoke up, advocated and insisted on the signing of the ammended electoral act, your effort has paid off, your voice has been heard and you have made a key contribution to the development of credibility in our electoral system.”