Tempers Flare in Senate During High-Stakes Electoral Act Debate

The Senate descended into chaos during Tuesday’s plenary as lawmakers moved to adopt the minutes from the previous Wednesday.

The tension began when Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) cited Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the 2023 Senate Standing Orders, moving to rescind the Senate’s earlier decision on Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act amendment bill.

Though the motion was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), the atmosphere turned volatile when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) raised a vocal objection.

The core of the dispute centered on Monguno’s proposed amendment, which changed the word “transfer” to “transmission” but noticeably omitted the requirement for “real-time” reporting.

According to page 45 of the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Clause 60( 3), the provision states: ” 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.”

The tension finally peaked when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe invoked Order 72, formally calling for a division of the House.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the move, noting that the call for a division would necessitate a formal vote.

However, after the brief standoff, Abaribe ultimately chose to withdraw his point of order.