The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has said the National Assembly lacked the temerity to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
He said that it was part of the scheme of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to deny Nigerians free, fair and transparent elections in 2023.
Governor Wike made the assertions, Monday, at the flag-off of Chokocho – Igbodo Road project in Rivers State, that was performed by the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde.
The Rivers State Governor recalled how most people did not believe him when he raised the concerns that President Buhari would not sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.
“Three weeks ago, I told Nigerians that there is a conspiracy not to have a free, fair, transparent election in 2023 and that conspiracy was very clear. And I told Nigerians, Mr. President will not sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill”.
Governor Wike stated that having known the modus operandi, style and strategy of the APC, it was obvious to him and all discerning minds that the clause on direct primaries was inserted into the Electoral Act Amendment Bill as a ploy for the President to refuse assent to the bill.
He accused APC governors and their National Assembly members of deceiving Nigerians that they were engaged in battle of supremacy over the issue of direct primaries, whereas they had secretly agreed to scuttle the possibility of transmitting election result electronically in 2023.
Governor Wike said, unfortunately, the National Assembly do not have what it takes to veto the President’s refusal to assent to the bill.
He maintained that because APC does not consider the interest of Nigerians as priority, its leaders are immersed in crisis jostling for benefits that fan their personal egos.
