By Frank Pukon
The legislative Assembly or Parliament is the organ of government saddled with the responsibility of making laws for the peace and orderliness of a country.
With the Local Content Act, PIA 2021, the Not Too Young to Run Act, etc it is important to note that Nigeria is striving towards good governance even though good governance is sometimes elusive.
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And as a matter of fact the measure of the efficiency of any administration in a democracy is the legal framework by the legislative Assembly or Parliament.
So, the signed Electoral Act amendment bill by President Muhammadu Buhari will promote sound electoral processes and good governance in the country.
My key takeaway of the passed bill, among others, is that it is to provide a timeline for the submission of the names of candidates by political parties, limited campaign expenses, and addressed problems related to the omission of a candidate’s name or party logo on the ballot paper.
It also approved electronic transmission of results, legalizes the use of card readers, and set a new standard for the conduct of direct and indirect primaries by parties.
On Friday last week, when President Buhari signed the electoral Act, he said: “These commendable efforts are in line with our policy to bequeath posterity and landmark legal framework that paves the way for credible and sound electoral process that we would all be proud of.”
For the purpose of the electoral Act, I commend President Buhari and also remind him why now is the time for him to sign the Nigeria Maritime University Bill, whereby ‘bequeathing a lasting legacy’ that will stand the test of time.
The NMU Bill faces an uncertain future, years after the bill has gone through third reading in the National Assembly, the fate of the bill, is still hanging and finding balance.
Against the backdrop of the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the NMU Bill and with electioneering period intensifying, we continue to express doubt about the APC-led FGN.
There is no gainsaying that NMU with the legal support will become a key factor to human capacity building, where it can compete globally with the technical skills in the maritime industry and economy.
The Buhari presidency has been undermining Ijaw people. This can’t continue.
Pukon is the Secretary-General of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Daily Report Nigeria
