The Senate has amended Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act 2022, which will enable statutory delegates to participate in political parties’ congresses and conventions.
The current version, which was assented to by the president, Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in February this year, prevents statutory delegates from taking part in party primaries.
Statutory delegates include councillors, local government chairmen and vice-chairmen, political party chairmen in all the 774 Local Government Areas, state and federal lawmakers, governors and their deputies, president and vice president, political parties’ National Working Committee members, state party chairmen and secretaries.
The Red Chamber amended the clause after considering a bill sponsored by Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege during plenary on Tuesday.
The amendment will allow statutory delegates, in addition to the delegates elected by various political parties, to vote during congresses and conventions to elect candidates for various political offices.
Speaking after passing the bill, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said the “unintended clause” had to be amended before the commencement of party primaries.
He said the House of Representatives would also pass the same amendment on Wednesday before transmitting it to the president for assent, at the latest, next week.
He said the amendment had become imperative to ensure that no one is denied their rights during political parties’ activities.
