Electoral Act: Gobir Salutes PMB’s Courage, Statesmanship
***Says Buhari has imprinted name
By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Chairman, Gobir Foundation and former governorship aspirant in Kwara state under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara state, Alhaji Yakubu Olayiwola Gobir, has saluted the courage of President Muhammadu Buhari in signing into law the much awaited Electoral Amendment bill, adding that Buhari has deeply etched his name in the hearts of lovers of democracy in the country, Africa and the world.
In a statement by his office in Ilorin, Gobir noted that it took no small amount of courage for the president to append his signature to that important document that would shape the country’s democracy.
“Buhari has been able to manage our diverse opinions on participatory democracy well. Mr President has also demonstrated that hand in hand with technological improvements in our system of choosing leaders, there must also be a balance in the need to carry all shades of opinions along in our electoral processes,” Gobir added.
He also stated that the new law, coming at this time when undemocratic forces have threatened and even toppled some democracies in the sub-region, has further reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
Gobir also thanked the National Assembly for being painstaking in the management of the bill until it became law, saying “the synergy between both chambers of the Assembly bespeaks maturity.”
He said: “The cooperation between the legislative and executive arms of government in producing the historic Electoral Amendment Act has again demonstrates that Nigeria has come of age in the league of leading democracies across the globe.
“I urge Nigerians, and Kwarans in particular, that the time for sitting on the fence is over. I, therefore, urge our people to register to vote so as to enjoy the maximum benefits of the new law.”