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Buhari’s Refusal To Sign Amended Electoral Act, Ambush Ahead Of Presidential Primaries – Reps

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The leadership of the House of Representatives has called on political parties to ignore the delay by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to assent to the amendment made by the National Assembly to the Electoral Act 2022, which gives recognition to statutory delegates.

The lawmakers, who described the possible withdrawal of assent to the amendment bill by the President as an “ambush” ahead of the presidential primaries, asked parties to go ahead and approve statutory delegates based on their respective constitutions.

The Senate and the House had, in a record time, passed an amendment to the Act to recognise statutory delegates at primaries, congresses and conventions of political parties.

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The lawmakers particularly amended Section 84(8) of the Act to provide for automatic or statutory delegates, ahead of the forthcoming party primaries, from where candidates would emerge for the 2023 general elections.

READ ALSO: Amended Electoral Act Not Signed Yet —Presidency Sources

Recall that the National Assembly, on May 13, transmitted the bill to the President for assent.

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However, Buhari had yet to sign the amendment bill into law as of 7pm on Saturday, over one week after the National Assembly passed and transmitted the legislation to the Presidency.

The Majority Leader of the House, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, alleged that some persons within the ruling All Progressives Congress and the government were misleading Buhari on the amendment.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Ado-Doguwa said, “Some people are trying to mislead the innocent old man in the name of constitutional democracy to which they have no knowledge at all.

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Declining assent to the amended clause of the Electoral Act on statutory delegates would amount to a calculated design to ambush the presidential primaries come 30th May/1st June 2022, which I believe Nigerians will not accept.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu, “Trying to short-change and ambush is not necessary. The parties had already made provisions for statutory and ad-hoc until there was a notice of that omission. So, it is actually trying to fulfil what the parties had already arranged for.”

The President on Saturday evening returned to Abuja after concluding a two-day condolence visit to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

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READ ALSO: Electoral Act: Supreme Court Joins Rivers In Buhari, Malami’s Suit

Buhari, who departed Abu Dhabi at about 1:30pm on Saturday, landed at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, around 4pm, alongside members of his delegation.

In Abu Dhabi, he condoled with the new President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, over the passing of the former leader, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

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The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, debunked online reports that the Electoral Act had been signed by the Presient.

In a similar vein, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, House of Representatives, Umar El-Yakub, said “He (Buhari) couldn’t have signed it (Electoral Amendment Bill) yesterday because he was out of the country and he couldn’t have signed already because he’s just entering the country.”

PUNCH.

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APC Explains Suspension Of Senator Gbenga Daniel

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APC Ward 4 in Sagamu says it suspended Senator Gbenga Daniel because he refused to appear and defend himself over allegations of anti-party activities.

Speaking to journalists at the ward office in Sabo, Sagamu, the Ward Secretary, Hon. Oluwole Aduroja, said he spoke for the 19-member executive committee.

He explained that their clarification was necessary after a statement issued by MJS Partners on behalf of Senator Daniel, reacting to a November 17 letter from the APC National Secretariat.

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Aduroja, who stood with the Ward Chairman, Hon. Adebayo Ismail, said the Ward Executive Committee agreed to suspend Senator Daniel because he failed to appear before a panel set up to review petitions against him.

READ ALSO:Why Kwankwaso-Atiku Alliance Can’t Work — APC Chief

The petitions accused him of working against the party.

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He said the problem started during the last general elections, when Senator Daniel “acted in open defiance of the party and engaged in actions inimical to the interest of the APC and its candidates in Ogun State.”

Aduroja added that after the elections, the senator, “attempted to obstruct and frustrate the course of justice during the Election Petition Tribunal sittings through actions and interventions that were directly hostile to the interest of the APC and its candidates.”

‘Deborah Samuel’s murderers remain free’ – US defends designation of Nigeria as CPC
He said these actions remain unchallenged.

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Reacting to the position of the APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Bashiru, in the November 17 letter, Aduroja insisted that the APC Constitution allows Executive Committees at all levelsward, local government, state, zonal or national to discipline any member.

READ ALSO:APC Chieftain Killed In Suspected Zamfara Bandit Attack

He said Article 21(5)(vii) gives the National Working Committee the power to suspend members, but does not override the powers of Executive Committees at other levels, and does not require them to seek approval from the NWC.

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He explained that “any disciplinary action taken by an Executive Council, including suspension, is subject only to appeal as outlined in Article 21(4).”

He added that nothing in the constitution makes their decision dependent on NWC review.

Aduroja said Ward 4 is committed to discipline, fairness and due process, and stressed that the suspension of Senator Gbenga Daniel remains in full effect.”

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Irresponsible Of You To Blame Trump Over Rising Insecurity – ADC Blasts Tinubu’s Govt

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The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has criticised the Federal Government of Nigeria for blaming the wave of attacks, especially in Kebbi and Kwara States on remarks by US President Donald Trump.

Recall that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume on Wednesday, said recent statements by Trump concerning the security situation in Nigeria have emboldened violent groups across the country.

Responding to the SGF, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement said Akume’s comment was an attempt to deflect responsibility.

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READ ALSO:Alleged Christian Genocide: APC Requests To Testify At US Congress

According to him, it is appalling that the APC-led government suggested that insecurity in Nigeria was triggered by a statement made by a foreign president.

The ADC mouthpiece further stated that the claim amounted to a shameful abdication of responsibility and a confirmation that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is overwhelmed by the security crisis.

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He added that Nigerians had endured massacres, mass abductions and attacks on schools and places of worship for years under the APC-led government.

READ ALSO:Trump To Receive Full Menu Of Options To Stop Nigeria Genocide – US Rep, Moore

Abdullahi said the situation has worsened under the current administration because of the government’s failure to respond decisively.

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Deborah Samuel’s murderers remain free’ – US defends designation of Nigeria as CPC
“It is therefore disingenuous to blame one tweet for the state of insecurity in Nigeria,”

“Those killing Nigerians did not need to be instigated by Trump; they were already actively encouraged by a government that consistently fails to act decisively to stop the carnage, a government that is, even after nearly three years in office, still celebrating its electoral victory while the country is turned into a killing field,” he said.

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Top NNPP Mobiliser In Kano Resigns, Cites Neglect, Lack Of Recognition

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A key member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Bichi Local Government Area, Hon. Jamilu Kabir Bichi, has resigned from the party, saying he has been consistently sidelined despite his contributions.

Kabir, who was the NNPP Director-General of the 2023 Campaign in Bichi, announced his resignation in a letter dated November 19, 2025, and addressed to the party’s ward chairman.

He described his decision as “painful yet necessary,” explaining that he and his supporters had faced neglect in the party, especially in his home community.

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READ ALSO:JUST IN: NNPC, NUPRC, NMDPRA Shut As PENGASSAN Begins Strike

He said the leadership had failed to acknowledge the sacrifice and effort of loyal members.

Fear grips Nigerians as terrorists go on rampage, target large gatherings
“The leadership’s refusal at all levels to recognize our progressive agenda, loyalty, patience, and endurance has been deeply disheartening,” he wrote.

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Kabir also said many committed members who worked hard to build the NNPP were denied chances to serve in the party or in government after the party won elections.

According to him, this made it impossible to remain in the party.

READ ALSO:Mass Exodus Hits APC, LP, NNPP As Over 5,000 Members Join PDP In Benue

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As a principled individual with a political vision and mission… I can no longer, in good conscience, remain in a party that compromises my values,” he stated.

He thanked his political mentor, former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Ahmad Garba Bichi, praising his patience, loyalty, and straightforwardness.

Kabir added that he would continue to practice “politics without bitterness.”

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He ended his letter with a prayer, asking Allah to guide the people of Bichi, Kano, and Nigeria, and pledged to stay committed to serving humanity.

 

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