Electoral Bill: You can’t dictate to people, Buhari slams National Assembly

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he personally doesn’t believe in direct primaries in choosing candidates of various political parties for elections.

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he personally doesn’t believe in direct primaries in choosing candidates of various political parties for elections.

The President’s refusal to assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill had generated different reactions.

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• Electoral Act: It’s not easy to override Buhari’s veto – Speaker

The Senate had earlier threatened to override the President’s veto before it backtracked.

Speaking on his rejection of the Bill in a chat with Channels Television, Buhari stated that there should be options in choosing candidates for election.

He said introducing only direct primaries is not democratic.

“You can’t dictate to people and say you are doing democracy. There should be options. We must not insist it must be direct primaries,” he said.

The President promised to give assent to the Bill if the National Assembly reworks and sends it again.