Fatimah Otunsanya
The Senate has appointed 12 members to work with the House of Representatives on the Electoral Amendment Act, which has stirred recent uproar.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced the committee members on Tuesday during an emergency plenary session.
The members are Senator Simon Lalong, who will serve as Chairman, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Tahir Mungono, Senator Adamu Aliero, Senator Abba Moro, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Senator Aminu Iya Abbas, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Senator Niyi Adegbonmire (SAN), Senator Jibrin Isah, Senator Ipalibo Banigo, and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi.
Akpabio said, “After consultation with the leadership, we have moved the number from nine to 12. I will now 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 the outcome 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.
Recall that the proceedings turned rowdy shortly after the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), raised a point of order seeking the rescission of the chamber’s earlier approval of Clause 60(3) of the bill.
Monguno anchored his request on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended), and was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central).
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 (APGA, Abia South) objected strongly, repeatedly raising points of order as the chamber descended into shouting.
According to page 45 of the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Clause 60(3) of the bill 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.”
At the height of the disagreement, Abaribe invoked Order 72 of the Standing Orders, calling for a division.