Legislature
Electoral Act: Buhari asks NASS to review clause on Direct Primary, before his assent
President Buhari has asked the National Assembly to review the direct primaries clause and send document back for his assent.
The President who has communicated to the National Assembly, asked the National Assembly to remove the controversial clause on direct primaries from the bill and return the proposed law to him for assent.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, confirmed that Buhari had sent the letter to the National Assembly.
According to our sources the President indicated in the letter to the Senate President Ahmad Lawan that the prevailing situation in the country will not allow to him sign the bill.
Amongst other reasons the President cited high cost of conducting direct primaries, the security challenge of monitoring the election, violation of citizens rights, marginalization of small political parties.
Buhari also notes that adopting direct primaries also has implications on the rights of citizens to participate in the government, as constitutionally insured.
According to the President, the conduct of direct primaries will lead to a significant spike in the cost of conducting primary elections by parties, as well as the increase in the cost of monitoring such elections by INEC.
He explained that the direct consequences of the high cost are monitozation and that it will drive and increase the financial crimes and constitute further strain on the economy.
In his view, it will also stifle smaller parties without the enormous resources required to mobilize all party members for the primaries, a situation which he says is not healthy for the sustainance of multiparty democracy in Nigeria.
The President further states that security agencies will also be overstretched, as direct primaries will be open to participation from all and sundry. Such large turnout without effective security coordination, will also engender intimidation and disruptions, thereby raising credibility issues on the outcomes of such election.
Significantly, Buhari said: “The amendment as proposed is the violation of the underlying spirit of democracy, which is characterized by freedom of choices of which political party membership is a voluntary exercise of the constitutional right of freedom of association.
President Buhari also said the proposed amendment might also give rise to a plethora of litigations based on diverse grounds and issues of law, including but not limited to the fact that the proposed amendment could not work in retrospect, given that the existing constitution of the parties already registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) permits direct, indirect and consensus primaries. Buhari said his decision is based on informed advise by relevant ministries, departments and agencies of the government, and careful review of the bill in light of the current realities prevalent in the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the circumstances.
He accused governors of the APC and their National Assembly members of deceiving Nigerians that they were engaged in a battle of supremacy over the issue of direct primaries, whereas they had secretly agreed to scuttle the possibility of transmitting election results electronically in 2023.
Wike said the National Assembly did not have what it takes to veto the President’s refusal to assent to the bill.
According to him, the lawmakers are not interested in protecting the interest of Nigerians and ensuring that elections are free and fair with the electronic transmission of results.
“Unfortunately, you don’t have a National Assembly that has what it takes, that will stand for the people, that will say look we were elected by the people and we want to give the people the best. Nobody in the National Assembly, not even the leadership, can have what it takes to say Mr President for the interest of Nigerians, we are going to veto your refusal,” he said.
The governor maintained that because the APC did not take the interest of Nigerians as a priority, its leaders were immersed in crisis while jostling for benefits that fan their personal egos.
N’Assembly won’t override Buhari on bill, says Kwankwaso
A former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, says the President will not sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill because governors have pressured him not to approve the provision for direct primaries.
Kwankwaso said this during a chat with The PUNCH ahead of the National Assembly’s recess.
The former governor said indeed, mandatory direct primaries would provide a level playing field and ensure that popular candidates emerge.
He, however, said because such mandatory primaries could make governors less powerful, they would not support it.
The ex-lawmaker said, “In 1999, I was elected as the candidate of the PDP through direct primary but along the line, we realised that there were issues with the direct primary. It is very cumbersome; it has some weaknesses here and there, but after practising the indirect primary, I can easily compare and say the direct one is more democratic and better than the indirect.
“But one thing that I believe is that the governors and other powerful people will never want to approve the direct primary because the power will get out of the government houses and land in the hands of the voters and members of the parties. So, they will never want it. For me, I find it extremely difficult to see how the President will sign it.”
When contacted on Monday to confirm if Buhari had communicated his decision to the National Assembly, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ajibola Basiru, said, “I am not aware.”
His counterpart in the House, Benjamin Kalu, however, said the chamber would take a decision on it today (Tuesday).
National Assembly leaders in emergency meeting, strategise response to President
One of the principal officers of the House, who also confirmed the communication to one of our correspondents Monday night, disclosed that the leadership of the National Assembly held an emergency meeting after it was received.
The lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, spoke to our correspondent at about 10:30pm.
“We are currently at holding a leadership meeting over the communication. I won’t be able to say much on the development right now,” he said.
Culled from The Punch
The National Assembly has called for a comprehensive reassessment of Nigeria’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative following alarming reports of vehicle explosions attributed to uncertified conversions. Lawmakers are urging the Federal Government to prioritize rigorous adaptability tests to ensure the safety and suitability of the technology in Nigeria’s unique environment.
During the 2025 budget defense session of the Joint Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Petroleum (Upstream), and Gas, Senator Natasha Akpoti (PDP, Kogi Central) questioned the adequacy of research conducted before rolling out the CNG program.
“Nigeria’s bumpy roads and hot climate differ significantly from the smooth and cooler environments where this technology originated. Were these factors considered before introducing CNG?” Akpoti asked.
Her concerns come amid incidents of explosions in CNG-converted vehicles. The Minister of State for Gas, Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, attributed these accidents to uncertified conversions carried out by roadside technicians, emphasizing that certified centers adhere to strict safety standards.
Ekpo also assured lawmakers that the technology had been evaluated by a Presidential Committee on CNG and affirmed its long-term viability. “CNG has come to stay,” he stated.
The session also highlighted budgetary concerns, particularly the Ministry of Petroleum’s 2025 capital allocation of N903 million. Lawmakers criticized the sum as inadequate to address Nigeria’s pressing energy challenges.
“For a ministry driving Nigeria’s energy transition, this allocation raises concerns about commitment to infrastructure and innovation,” remarked Hon. Kafilat Ogbara.
As Nigeria seeks to diversify its energy mix, the National Assembly has stressed the need for enhanced safety measures, proper implementation, and increased funding to fully realize the potential of CNG while ensuring public safety and trust.
***Seeks Support for Loans as Budgetary Provisions Fall Short
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has voiced his deep frustration over the state of Nigeria’s road infrastructure, highlighting inadequate yearly budgetary allocations as a major barrier to progress.
Speaking during the 2025 budget defense session before the Senate Committee on Works in Abuja on Friday, Umahi described the financial constraints as overwhelming. “I’ve succeeded in most of my life’s engagements, but I feel frustrated fixing Nigerian roads with these meagre allocations,” he lamented.
Umahi disclosed that President Bola Tinubu inherited 2,064 road projects valued at N13 trillion, but rising costs have pushed the estimated expenditure to N18 trillion. He noted that the N827 billion allocated for road infrastructure in the 2025 budget is grossly insufficient to address the challenges.
“Roads are critical to economic growth and poverty reduction. They create jobs and drive economic activities. However, fixing these roads cannot be achieved with yearly budget provisions alone,” he explained.
The minister urged Nigerians to support the government’s borrowing initiatives, assuring that the funds would directly impact citizens’ lives by boosting economic activities and reducing hunger.
Senators on the committee, led by Senator Mpigi Barinaga, praised Umahi for his efficient management of scarce resources and supported his call for alternative funding mechanisms. They acknowledged the scale of the work required and admitted that the proposed budget falls far short of what is needed to resolve Nigeria’s road infrastructure crisis.
The session concluded with a shared resolve to explore additional funding options to tackle the nation’s road challenges effectively.
***Minister Lokpobiri Assures of Reforms, Apologizes for Lapses
The 2025 budget defense session for the petroleum sector took a contentious turn on Friday as the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum (Upstream, Midstream, Downstream, and Gas) erupted into disorder. Tensions flared over delays in budget documentation, with lawmakers decrying the Ministry of Petroleum Resources’ perceived lack of preparedness and respect for legislative protocols.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, was already fraught with logistical challenges. The cramped committee room, bursting with lawmakers and ministry officials, became the backdrop for a fiery exchange that highlighted the strained relationship between the legislative and executive branches. Calls to relocate the session to a more accommodating venue went unheeded, adding to the frustration.
Before the session could proceed, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu raised a procedural objection, pointing out the absence of vital budget documents. “We cannot engage in a meaningful discussion without the necessary materials. This undermines the integrity of the process,” Nwogu asserted.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, faced sharp criticism for the disorganization. Hon. Ado Doguwa, Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee, accused the Ministry of fostering an adversarial relationship with the legislature. “Minister, we see you only once a year, and even then, the lack of collaboration is glaring. This is unacceptable,” Doguwa said, his frustration evident.
Lokpobiri, in an attempt to salvage the situation, apologized for the lapses. “Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, I deeply regret this oversight. It was not intentional. The budget documents are being distributed as we speak,” he said. He assured lawmakers that the Ministry remained committed to supporting legislative oversight and improving future engagements.
However, Lokpobiri’s lighthearted remark that the documents were being delivered in “Ghana Must Go” bags—containing no money—elicited mixed reactions. While some lawmakers chuckled, others viewed it as a diversion from the seriousness of the issue.
Doguwa, accepting the apology, stressed the need for strict adherence to legislative guidelines. “While we appreciate the apology, the late submission of documents is a breach of procedure. This cannot continue. We demand accountability and timely cooperation moving forward,” he said.
The session ultimately ended in stalemate, with lawmakers insisting on postponing the meeting until all necessary documents had been reviewed. The debacle underscores the persistent challenges of executive-legislative coordination in Nigeria’s budgetary process, particularly in critical sectors like petroleum.
As the Joint Committee prepares to reconvene, stakeholders will be watching closely to see if the Ministry of Petroleum Resources can rebuild trust and ensure a smoother process in the future.
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