The Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State has on Friday, ordered the Attorney General of the Federation to delete Section 84 (12) of the Amended New Electoral Act.
Last month, President Mohammdu Buhari, signed Electoral Bill into law but asked the National Assembly to delete section 84 (12), which restrained serving cabinet members from contesting for elective offices without resigning.
According to the President, “Section 84 (12) constitutes a disenfranchisement of serving political office holders from voting or being voted for at conventions or congresses of any political party, for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election in cases where it holds earlier than 30 days to the national election”.
But in a twist, the Senate objected and threw out the bill seeking the amendment of the section.
The lawmakers argued that such amendment of Section 84 (12), is against the civil service norms and would be an impendiment to the well-being of the society.
Meanwhile, the AGF had earlier argued that should the Senate refused to heed to the request of the President, that the Federal Government would tinker all other avenues possible to it before a position would be taken.
According to Malami, the lawmakers’ responsibility was to legislate, but if it becomes necessary, that the government would apply other options, which he said, could mean either sending another request to the parliament for reconsideration, approaching the court, or accepting the law just as it is.
