…The Senate President added that the outcome of the committee’s work would be promptly transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent before the end of February,
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Senate has constituted a 12-member committee to interface with the House of Representatives on the contentious Electoral Amendment Bill that has recently generated intense debate.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the composition of the panel on Tuesday during an emergency plenary session.
The committee is chaired by Senator Simon Lalong and includes Senators Orji Uzor Kalu, Tahir Monguno, Adamu Aliero, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Aminu Iya Abbas, Tokunbo Abiru, Niyi Adegbonmire (SAN), Jibrin Isah, Ipalibo Banigo and Onyekachi Nwebonyi.
Explaining the decision, Akpabio said the committee size was increased from nine to 12 after consultations with Senate leadership, stressing the urgency of the assignment.
“When you meet, you should recognise that this is a matter of urgency. If you are able to conclude within the next few days or one week, the President should be able to sign the amended Electoral Bill into law within the month of February,” he said.
The Senate President added that the outcome of the committee’s work would be promptly transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent before the end of February, after which he struck the gavel to formally inaugurate the panel.
The decision followed a heated session in the chamber, which turned rowdy after Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), raised a point of order seeking to rescind the Senate’s earlier approval of Clause 60(3) of the bill.
Monguno based his motion on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended), and was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central).
The move, however, triggered protests from several senators, leading to heightened tension in the chamber.
The situation worsened when Monguno read Clause 60(3) without the phrase “real-time” and substituted the word “transmission” with “transfer.”
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) strongly objected, repeatedly raising points of order as shouting erupted on the floor of the Senate.
According to page 45 of the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Clause 60(3) provides that the presiding officer shall electronically transmit polling unit results to the IREV portal in real time after Form EC8A has been duly signed, stamped and countersigned where applicable.
At the peak of the disagreement, Abaribe invoked Order 72 of the Standing Orders, calling for a division.
