Isiaka warns Buhari alongside National Assembly over the influence of Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.

Gboyega Isiaka, a three-time governorship candidate and APC chieftain in Ogun State, has warned the president and the National Assembly against a power struggle over the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.

In an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Isiaka, who is also the chairman of the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone, stated this.

Isiaka urged the president and the National Assembly to proceed with caution and allow better reasoning to prevail in the final decision on the contentious issue.

The bill had been passed by the National Assembly, but the president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd. ), had refused to sign it.

Senators were said to be considering a motion to overrule the President’s decision on the messed-up legal framework.

He explained that, while the issue is political, it is also a constitutional one, because it involves the rights of individuals, groups, and political parties.

He urged the President and the National Assembly not to let the amendment bill devolve into a power struggle.

He urged for the National Assembly to consider a variety of solutions.

He said, “The singular clause of direct primaries now threatens the whole bill which contains other plausible amendments.

“I have observed the argument for and against the direct primaries and for me, I think there are merits on both sides.

“I believe that the guardians of every democracy must seek to improve its electoral process and an abiding part of that is to ensure more inclusiveness, which the direct primaries seek to provide. It is a sentiment I share.

“Nevertheless, we must look into our peculiarities and see if indeed our political parties can deal with the complexities of such a process.

“I think it may be too soon for us to insist on direct primaries for all parties – which may not be infallible considering the attitude of political players in this clime.

“I would rather suggest that each political party adopt a process that is convenient for it; either direct primaries or the delegate system. That way, the right of everyone is protected.”