ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Proceedings at the Senate on Tuesday turned rowdy and tense as lawmakers reconvened to revisit votes and proceedings from the previous Wednesday, culminating in a controversial alteration of Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act amendment bill.
Trouble began when the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), raised a point of order seeking to rescind the Senate’s earlier decision on the clause, which provides for real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Monguno anchored his motion on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), with the point of order seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central).
Tension quickly escalated in the chamber when Monguno moved a motion to re-read Clause 60(3) but conspicuously removed the phrase “real-time” from the provision. The move immediately drew loud objections and repeated shouts of “point of order” from Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South).
According to the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Clause 60(3) as earlier adopted states:
“The Presiding Officer shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the 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.”
READ ALSO Why Electoral Reform Is ‘Almost’ Impossible In Nigeria- INEC
However, in presenting his motion, Monguno read the clause without the ‘real-time’ requirement, effectively amending the provision to allow electronic transmission without a specific timeline.
As the debate grew heated, Abaribe invoked Order 72, which provides for division and voting when lawmakers disagree on a matter.
At that point, Senate President Godswill Akpabio intervened, noting that Abaribe had formally raised a point of order calling for a division and vote on the contentious clause.
Moments later, however, Abaribe withdrew his point of order, allowing proceedings to continue amid visible tension in the chamber.
The development adds to growing controversy surrounding the Senate’s handling of amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly provisions relating to the electronic transmission of election results.