‘I Respected Rule of Law’ - Tinubu Explains Decision to Sign Electoral Act

‘I Respected Rule of Law’ – Tinubu Explains Decision to Sign Electoral Act
Says National Assembly’s Overwhelming Support Forced His Hand on Electoral Act
Tinubu added that leaders and citizens must learn to accommodate one another and support democratic institutions

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said he had “no choice” but to sign the Electoral Act, noting that the legislation was passed with overwhelming support by the National Assembly of Nigeria.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the President explained that his decision was guided by the need to uphold the rule of law and avoid plunging the country into political turmoil.

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Tinubu made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) at the State House in Abuja.

Reflecting on the challenges of governance and politics in a democratic system, the President said he chose to respect the decision of the National Assembly, which passed the Electoral Act with strong legislative backing.

“I had no choice. I didn’t want to throw the country into turmoil of argument,” Tinubu said.

“There was an overwhelming majority in the National Assembly that passed the law. If I had serious questions or reservations, I would have raised them. But I submitted myself to the principle of the rule of law and democracy. I signed, and the rest is history.”

The President also stressed that democracy requires compromise and cooperation among political actors, noting that political competition often feels rewarding only when one emerges victorious.

“The game of politics is sweet only when you’re winning,” he said.

Tinubu added that leaders and citizens must learn to accommodate one another and support democratic institutions in order to strengthen governance in the country.

“We must accommodate one another. We must help one another. We must strengthen the platform. But in democracy, yes, there must be peace, stability, and commitment to the rule of law,” he said.