Rowdy Session In Senate Over Bid To Rescind Clause On E-transmission Of Results

 

Proceedings in the senate were disrupted on Tuesday following sharp disagreements among lawmakers over a motion seeking to reverse an earlier decision on the electronic transmission of election results contained in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

The tension arose during consideration of a motion sponsored by Tahir Monguno, senator representing Borno north, which proposed that the upper chamber rescind its approval of clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026.

The clause relates to the framework for transmitting election results electronically.

Monguno said the motion became necessary after “fresh issues” emerged from a closer scrutiny of the bill following its passage earlier in February.

He noted that the provision required further legislative work to avoid ambiguities that could undermine the conduct of elections.

Citing relevant sections of the senate standing orders, Monguno urged lawmakers to allow the chamber to revisit the clause and recommit it to the committee of the whole for reconsideration.

He said doing so would strengthen the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s electoral process rather than weaken it.

The motion was seconded by Abba Moro, senate minority leader, who aligned himself with the call for further review.

Moro noted that electoral legislation must be subjected to the highest level of scrutiny because of its implications for democracy and political stability.

However, the debate quickly became contentious when Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia south, raised a point of order, insisting that the senate could not revisit the clause in the manner proposed and that, at the very least, senators should be allowed to vote individually on the matter.

Abaribe’s intervention triggered loud exchanges across the chamber, with several senators speaking simultaneously and challenging the procedure being adopted.

The disagreement escalated into a rowdy session as lawmakers argued over whether the motion was admissible and whether the senate was setting a precedent that could allow previously concluded decisions to be easily overturned.

For about ten minutes, proceedings were stalled as the senate leadership struggled to restore order.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio repeatedly called for calm, urging lawmakers to respect parliamentary procedure and allow the chair to manage the debate.

When relative calm was restored, Akpabio asked Abaribe whether he intended to formally proceed with the point of order he had raised. The Abia Rowdy Session In Senate Over Bid To Rescind Clause On E-transmission Of Results.