The decision of the lawmakers in retaining section 84 (10) of the electoral Act, contrary to the demand of President Muhammadu Buhari has been commended by some lawyers.
The legal experts revealed this earlier today while featuring on a Fresh Fm’s programme “Situation Room”, noting that the provision of law regarding the political appointees is to bring equality among the contestants.
Speaking of the subject matter, Richmond Natha Alade said that the section 84 (12) of the electoral act is a good innovation that is meant to salvage the Nigeria electoral process.
“It makes people accountable, particularly political appointees in their process of using state finance to sponsor election,I must say that it’s a very good law, obviously now there’s a lacuna and the lacuna is the fact that the date or the day by which they must resign vis not stipulated.I know that the National assembly members are trying to impose what the provision for the public service rule at least stipulate 30 days before participating in an electoral act.I must say categorically that it can not fly,they are two different set of people. A political appointees is different from a civil servant.
On the other hand, Barrister Ibrahim Lawal said the affected political appointees have a right to go to court for clarification.
“Particularly those who are affected,the political appointees,that if they feel strongly about the provision,they should approach the court for interpretation and also call on the court to strike down that particular provision and for the members of the public who also belief that it is also a way to improve our democratic space,so that people could be given the same oppurtunities to vie for an office”.
They further urged Nigerians to embrace this developmental process as it’s a kind of improvement of the electoral process and political system.
