House of Reps Rejects Bill to Limit INEC’s Power, Six Others

A move to amend Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which would have significantly reduced the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) authority by transferring the registration and regulation of political parties, was blocked in the House of Representatives.

The rejected bill, presented for its second reading on Tuesday, sought to assign these crucial powers to the Office of the Registrar-General of Political Parties.

Despite being co-sponsored by prominent figures, Speaker of the House Rep. Abbas Tajudeen and Rep. Francis Waive, the proposal was voted down following a voice vote overseen by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

The House also rejected another constitutional amendment bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Kalu, seeking to establish the principle of rotation for the offices of the President and Vice President among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West.

Other rejected bills included: HB. 2288: A bill to alter the Constitution to provide for the establishment, independence, and functions of the Offices of State Auditors-General for Local Governments and the Federal Capital Territory Area Councils.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, sought to strengthen fiscal oversight, promote accountability, and enhance good governance at the grassroots level.

Another bill sponsored by Rep. Ihonvbere, is proposing to increase the number of judges in the Federal High Court to no fewer than 100, or such other number as prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

Also sponsored by Rep. Ihonvbere, this bill proposed to expand the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to include admiralty matters, shipping and navigation on the River Niger, River Benue and their tributaries, all federal ports, and carriage by sea.

A bill seeking to empower the National Judicial Council, in collaboration with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, to fix and review the salaries, allowances, and other emoluments of judicial officers and judiciary staff. This bill was equally sponsored by Rep. Ihonvbere.

Also on the list is a bill sponsored by Rep. Waive proposing the creation of Ughelli East Local Government Area in Delta State.

While some lawmakers supported the bills, others opposed them.

Persecondnews reports that when the bills were put to a voice vote, the majority voted against.

Following the rejection, the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business appealed to the Speaker to reconsider the decision, suggesting that the bills be addressed individually rather than as a group.

However, Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Ali Jesse, raised a point of order citing Order 9, Rule 6, which requires that any decision to rescind a vote must be brought forward as a substantive motion on notice.

The Speaker concurred and directed the Committee on Rules and Business to list the motion for rescission on the order paper for the next legislative day.