The United States based Global Interaction for Youth Leadership (GIYL), has called on members of the National Assembly to override the veto of President Muhammadu Buhari on the Electoral Bill 2018.
GIYL which is made up of Nigerian professionals from different fields of endeavors, is focused on advocating for a generational change in the political schematics of Nigeria, believes that the socio-economic and political fortunes of Nigeria could be better if competent, resourceful, visionary young Nigerians with the right credentials get actively involved in leadership and governance.
Speaking on the Electoral Bill 2019 which it noted has continued to buzz in Nigeria, the Coordinating Secretary of GIYL, Ray Onyekwere (as contained in the second bulletin of GIYL), said he believes in strong terms that the two chambers of the National Assembly should override the veto of the President.
Onyekwere noted that a motion to review and amend any aspect of a law is a clear indication that the stipulation is faulty and can no longer serve the proposed objectives.
Also speaking at its second analytical gathering, GIYL Group’s Chairman, Finance & Sponsorship Committee, Arch Emmanuel Eromosele, said that the President’s refusal to assent to the Bill is a clear signal of the government’s intention to deny Nigerians of free and fair election in 2019 thus insisted that the President should be vetoed.
Another member of the Forum, who spoke on condition of anonymity, however submitted that President Buhari was right to have refused to sign the amendment as it was a trick deployed by the National Assembly to ascribe so much powers to electoral officers, adding that he also feels that the nation’s internet service providers will make a mess of the whole electoral process.
Speaking in turn, Engr. Anyanwu Iyke Obioha expressed the hope that all the concerns of the Presidency with the earlier submission had been taken care of while believing the President can not claim to be wiser than majority of Nigerians and their representatives.
He however expressed fears that the 2019 elections hangs in the balance as the President’s refusal means Nigerians will be going into the elections without legal framework or with an obsolete law.
Also speaking on the subject matter, Mohammed Aminu Tijjani said that as long as political parties have their representatives in various polling units, there should be no issues with transmitting the result.
In his own submission, Aja N. Aja Esq said the President reserves the rights to withhold assent, adding however that the same also applies to the National Assembly with the prerogative to veto if the President refuses assent.
Aja said that he believes the Presidency may be suspect to the genuine intention of the NASS, hence his refusal even as he noted that the incidences of underage voting in the north, insecurity and vote buying in the south are major electoral problems which no card reader can checkmate.
Another member of GIYL, Olotu Ikponmwosa pointedly said that that there should be no issue with the President’s refusal as he has the right to adding that the constitution is also clear on what the NASS can do.
In his own submission, Uche Ogu, frowned at the action of President Buhari saying it’s an action that is capable of threatening Nigeria’s democracy as it runs against the norm.
As for Reuben Onyishi, National Interest must at all times override personal interest, stressing that if it is in the National Interest, then the President withholding his assent should be vetoed.
In his own submission, the Group’s Deputy National Coordinator, Ropo Egbeleke decried people’s attitude to patriots who had embarked on similar advocacy and only hope things were different.
In his concluding remarks, the Executive Coordinator of Global Interaction For Youth Leadership, Mr. Jude Aririesike affirmed the Group’s commitment to keep educating and engaging the people on topical national issues, saying that he believes that leadership must be interrogated to remain accountable to the people.
For more about GIYL, visit: www.giylng.com to read more. Find us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @giylnig
