Electoral Act will ensure free, fair elections – Malami

The Electoral Act of 2022 signed by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in May last year, has laid the groundwork for free, fair and credible elections on February 25 and March 11, 2023.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, made this claim at the 67th session of the State House Ministerial Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Malami’s claim comes barely 48 hours to the presidential and National Assembly elections holding on Saturday, February 25.

According to the AGF, the Act embodies enough legislative, political and administrative reforms to ensure smooth electoral processes in 2023 and in subsequent elections.

He noted that the piece of legislation has also restricted foreign interference through illicit financial flows.

However, the Buhari regime has come under intense fire in recent times due to the crisis ensuing from its new naira policy implemented by the Central Bank.

Exactly one week ago, the President, in a televised broadcast, announced that only old N200 notes will remain legal tender, and that, until April 10.

He said all N500 and N1000 notes not remitted to the money deposit banks and the central bank by February 17, 2023, will lose their legitimacy in the marketplace.

Therefore, he directed the Central Bank to reintroduce the old N200 notes into the economy to ease the cash supply.

However, the directive has done little to assuage the suffering of cash-strapped Nigerians.

The PUNCH reports that long queues have emerged in commercial banks and automated teller machines nationwide.

In states such as Ogun and Ibadan, angry customers have resorted to violence, destroying bank facilities and setting buildings ablaze.

Consequently, the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, last week, asked its members to remain at home for their safety; a directive it has since rescinded.

However, it advised a shutdown of activities in the event of any threat without visible protection, and members to move to safe locations until their safety is guaranteed.