President Buhari expected to sign revised electoral bill on Friday

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to assent to the revised Electoral Act Amendment Bill transmitted by the National Assembly in January.

Presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu confirmed on Wednesday that the signing of the bill was on the President’s schedule for Friday.

Shehu said, “Yes, the president will sign on Friday, God willing. It’s on his programme.”

Another source from the presidency had earlier confirmed that the president was scheduled to assent to the bill at the State House, Abuja, about noon on Friday.

“All these anxieties will disappear by Friday afternoon. He will be signing the bill around noon of that day. I believe he has taken his time so that the Electoral Act can be as unassailable as much as possible.”

The President it was learned was seeking assurances from the National Assembly leadership to amend clause 84 which barred political appointees from voting or being voted for in their party convention or congresses without first resigning from office.

This was interpreted as an infringement of their constitutional right. The President was seeking assurances that the lawmakers would amend this clause to bring it in conformity with the constitution after he may have signed the bill.

President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila along with other members of the National Assembly would witness the signing ceremony for the electoral bill.