Electoral Bill: Court Can’t Stop NASS From Deleting Clause — Lawan

President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmad Lawan says the judiciary cannot stop the national assembly from carrying out its duties.

Gatekeepers News reports that Lawan while speaking on the floor of the senate said it is the national assembly’s exclusive right to consider any request either from the president or Nigerians.

Lawan was reacting to an order of the Abuja federal high court temporarily restraining the national assembly from deleting section 84 (12) of the newly-amended electoral act.

When President Muhammadu Buhari signed the bill into law, he said the clause disenfranchises political appointees.

He later sent a formal request to the national assembly for it to delete the clause.

Lawan said, “The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, March 07, 2022, barred President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Senate President from tampering with the newly amended Electoral Act 2022.

“The Judge in a ruling on an ex-parte application by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the Electoral Act, having become valid law could not be altered without following the due process of law.

“I find it very necessary to talk at this point because with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our governance system is based on the Presidential system of government where there is a clear cut separation of powers and exercise of powers.

“The Judiciary under no circumstance can stop the legislature, the National Assembly from performing its legislative duties. We know what our due processes are. Just like we won’t venture in what the Judiciary does, the Judiciary should understand that we have our processes.

“I believe the members of the National Assembly know their work, know their onions and would do what is right. This is due process, we are not doing anything outside the law. It is within our exclusive right to consider whatever request we receive from Nigerians either from the Executive or private member Bill.”