Buhari: I Will Sign Electoral Bill Once Direct Primary Clause is Removed

*Says Nnamdi Kalu will have his day in court

*Opposes creation of state police

Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his readiness to sign the 2021 Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill into law as soon as the National Assembly removes the provision for direct primaries for political parties in the bill.

Answering questions on a national television programme on Wednesday, the President claimed imposing direct primaries on parties was a clear violation of the rights of individuals which informed why he refused assent to the bill.

He, however, said he was ready to sign the bill as soon as the contentious provision was expunged from the bill by the legislative arm of government.

On the continued incarceration of the leader of the proscribed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, President Buhari stressed that based on the allegations levelled against Kanu, “he will have to face the law”.

The President also emphasised that creation of state police was not the best way to solve the mounting security problems facing the nation.

According to him: “I’m not for creation of state police as this will not solve the issue of security challenges across the country”.

Details later…