Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the Senate and Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, on Tuesday, 10th May, introduced a new bill to amend section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022. The bill seeks specifically to amend section 84(8) of the Act. It provides as follows:
“A political party that adopts the system of indirect primaries for the choice of its candidate shall clearly outline in its constitution and rules the procedure for the democratic election of delegates to vote at the convention, congress or meeting, in addition to delegates already prescribed in the constitution of the party.”
According to the explanatory memorandum to the bill, it seeks to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make provision for delegates who, not being elected delegates, as prescribed in the constitution of a political party to be allowed to participate in the convention, congress or meeting of the party.
This amendment will appear to now make it possible for statutory delegates of the party including former chairmen and other national working committee members, as well as members of the party who have previously held certain positions, including President and Vice President, former governors and deputies, presiding and deputy presiding officers of legislative houses who have remained members of the party, to vote at congresses, conventions and meetings of the party.
It does not appear that this amendment is controversial as it passed easily during the Senate’s plenary session on 10th May 2022. It is expected that the House of Representatives will follow suit to concur with the bill. At the time of voting, only 15 Senators were present at plenary.