Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday read President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter informing the lawmakers of why he withheld his assent from the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
Lawan read the letter shortly after the upper chamber rose from its executive session at 11.40am.
Buhari in the letter, said apart from legal, financial, economic and security implications of direct primary elections, it would stifle smaller parties and will be susceptible to corruption and monetisation.
He said direct primaries are not free from manipulations.
The President believes making direct primary the sole method of choosing candidates for elections by parties is undemocratic.
“I am constrained to withhold assent to the Electoral Act (amendment) in view of the reasons already adduced,” Buhari stated.
He said his decision was in line with Section 58 (1 and 4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He warned the lawmakers to refrain from meddling in the internal affairs of political parties.
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