By joshua 
By Abu Micheal.
Many see the Kogi State Governor as controversial. Not too long ago, he was a lone voice against the direct primaries option as passed by the National Assembly.
All the reasons adduced by the Governor why the option should not be allowed to see the light of day seems to have been reechoed by President Mohammadu Buhari.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday tabled before the National Assembly N305billion as projected expenditure for the 2023 general elections.
The development came amidst concerns over decision by President Muhammadu Buhari, who withheld his assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill which was forwarded to him by the National Assembly November 19.
In 2018, President Buhari failed to assent to the bill as amended then with the excuse that the time was too close to the 2019 general election.
By the constitutional provision, the president has up to 30 days to assent to any bill brought before him by the National Assembly or withhold same.
And with the 30-day window expiring Sunday, the 19th of December, the National Assembly is now left with the option of vetoing the president, a decision that has become a subject of controversy among Nigerians.
But explaining his position why he refused to sign the bill, President Buhari explained that his decision to withhold assent to the Bill, President Buhari listed high cost of conducting direct primaries, the security challenge of monitoring the election, violation of citizens’ rights and marginalization of small political parties among others. This were same reasons Gov. Bello canvassed.
In a communication to Senate President Ahmad Lawan, the president said the current situation across the country won’t allow for his assent to the Bill.
Besides, Buhari said he received “informed advice from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government.”
The leadership of the National Assembly had at different times met with Buhari during which they assured the president would concur with them on the Bill.
Prior to the end of the 30-day period, a presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, had said President Buhari was not under obligation to publicly declare his decision on the Bill.
Speaking Sunday on Channels Television’s “Sunday Politics,” Shehu argued that taking such a decision to the public without the knowledge of the National Assembly would amount to “unkind treatment of the lawmakers.”
He said: “I’m not in a position to tell you, yes or no. But given the way things are done, the president would have completed his consultations some time back. The president would be communicating with the National Assembly on whatever he decides either yes or no.
“And as I said, it would be disrespectful of the National Assembly, for me at this time, to say this is the content of the president’s communication, assuming that the communication has been sent to them. So as I said, allow them to resume, I believe that the president will not act in breach of the Constitution. No, he will do what is right.
“The constitution says the president must sign within 30 days, the constitution did not say that there should be the disclosure of that decision within 30 days to the public when the disclosure to the National Assembly has been made.”
From all that may have happened, Gov. Bello like he has always been known, has again spoken the mind of the President long before now.
A man who is seen as courageous and fearless, the non assenting to the Electoral Act as passed by the President, has again confirmed that Gov. Bello is a man who See’s tommorow, and truly as he has always mouthed it, the son of Mr. President.
Ahead of the 2023 Presidential election, Gov. Bello is under pressure to run. He is also one who believes that the zoning of the Presidency as is being canvassed in some quarters should be discarded.
Recall that Gov. Bello was equally vociferous on the Covid19 scourge and the issues surrounding it. Today, many say he has to a large extent proven so point that the pandemic may have been a hoax.
For now all eyes on Gov. Yahaya Bello in the emerging Politics of 2023 as he seem to have his winning ways over issues that are controversial.