Despite a warning by the Presidency asking them not to embark on protests over the Electoral Act amendment bill, 26 groups have said they will go ahead with the demonstrations on Tuesday (today) in order to compel the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to sign the bill.
The coalition urged its partners to converge on the Unity Fountain, Abuja.
The coalition includes Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Partners for Electoral Reform, International Press Centre, Institute for Media and Society, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, The Albino Foundation, Centre for Citizens with Disability, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, Labour Civil Society Coalition, Transition Monitoring Group, CLEEN Foundation and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre.
Others are: Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Nigeria Network of Non-Governmental Organisations, Inclusive Friends Association, Enough is Enough, The Electoral Hub, Centre for Liberty, Take Back Nigeria Movement, International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre, 100 Women Lobby Group, Women in Politics Forum, Raising New Voices, Millennials Active Citizenship Advocacy Africa and Ready To Lead Africa.
Asked whether the protest would still take place, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, responded in the affirmative.
Itodo said, “The planned protest by civil society groups will still take place, and there’s no going back on it.
“The civil society community had resolved to declare Tuesday February 22 2022, as the national day of protest to demand immediate assent to the bill. Civil society networks will organise peaceful public direct-action activities to further the demand to assent the bill.”
Earlier in a statement on Monday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, accused the groups of “cashing in” on the perceived delay to foment civil disorder.
Adesina, who is the President’s most senior spokesman, argued that the constitution gives the President 30 days to make a decision on any bill. He added that since the President received the bill on January 31, 2022, the President had till March 1 to sign it.
In the statement titled ‘Assent to electoral Bill: no need for saber rattling,’ the Presidency said “Some interest groups are cashing in on what they consider a delay in the signing of the electoral bill into law by the President to foment civil disorder and muddy the waters.
“One can just pity their ignorance of constitutional requirements, as the President has a window of 30 days within which to sign the Bill, or decline assent, after it had been transmitted to him by the National Assembly.
“It is on record that the amended Bill was sent to the Presidency on January 31, 2022, which means that the executive could do due diligence on it till March 1, as prescribed by the constitution.”
According to the Presidency, a proposed legislation that has to do with the electoral fortunes of the country needs to be thoroughly scrutinised, and be made as near-perfect as possible.
It warned that “Those playing cheap politics with it are, therefore, encouraged to hold their peace, knowing that the right thing will be done within the lawful time.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has assured protesters of a peaceful outing today.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi said the FCT commissioner of police had put in place the necessary measures to ensure the protest is peaceful.
He said, “Every Nigerian has the right to protest, same with any law abiding group in the country. We always want them to be safe while going about this that’s why we have them to carry us along so that the protest would not be hijacked by hoodlums.
“We are hopeful if they come out on Tuesday (today) it would be peaceful. I am sure the FCT CP is putting in place necessary arrangements in order not to cause any chaos. We do not stop people from protesting but we always want to be in the know so that both the protesters and other members of the public are equally protected and to avert breakdown of law and order.” ,,
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