The Senate has set up a 12-member committee to work with the House of Representatives on the Electoral Amendment Act.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, set up the committee members on Tuesday during an emergency plenary session.
The members are Senator Simon Lalong will be Chairman with Senators Orji Uzor Kalu, Tahir Mungono, Adamu Aliero, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Aminu Iya Abbas, Tokunbo Abiru, Niyi Adegbonmire (SAN), Jibrin Isah, Ipalibo Banigo, and Onyekachi Nwebonyi serving as members.
Akpabio explained that there was consultation with the leadership, leading to the increase have moved the number from nine to 12, just as he read out the names of the conference committee members from the Senate.
“When you meet, you should recognise that this is a matter of urgency. I believe that 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.”
The Senate President said if completed, the draft would be transmitted promptly to President Bola Tinubu for assent by the end of February and subsequently struck the gavel to formally constitute the committee.
The proceedings eame rowdy shortly after the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno, APC), raised a point of order seeking the rescission of the chamber’s earlier approval of Clause 60(3) of the bill.
Monguno hinged his request on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended), and was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi, PDP).
However, the move immediately sparked tension in the chamber, with several senators raising points of order in protest.
Trouble escalated when Monguno moved his motion and read Clause 60(3) without the phrase “real-time,” replacing the word “transmission” with “transfer.”
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia, APGA) rejected strongly, repeatedly raising points of order as the chamber descended into shouting.
Page 45 of the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Clause 60(3) of the bill states that “The Presiding Officer shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to IREV portal in real time and such transmission shall be done after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the Presiding Officer and/or countersigned by the candidates or polling agents available at the polling unit.”
