How the Partisans Crippled the Electoral Act, PIB
Udora Orizu writes that the consideration of Electoral Act and Petroleum Industry Bill reports at the Senate and House of Representatives were characterized by partisan, ethnic sentiments and altercations among the lawmakers
Last week, the leadership of the Ninth National Assembly contrary to their promise to Nigerians as listed in their legislative agendas, failed to live up to that promise as they allowed political party and ethnic interests muddle their judgement in the passage of two key legislations, the Electoral Act and the Petroleum Industry Bill.
The passage of the two landmark bills which would have transformed the electoral process and oil and gas industry of the nation were muddled in party politics and ethnic bias rather than the desire of the citizens whom they represent.
At the plenary, lawmakers in both chambers became charged as they debated the reports of the legislations especially the clause that provided for electronic transmission of election results in electoral act and the 3 percent granted as equity fund for host communities in PIB. The outcome of that debate (electoral act) was a clear indication that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Senate and the House of Representatives, support future elections being delegitimized.
Electoral Act Debate at Both Chambers
Clause 52(2) of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021 tore Senators and House of Representatives members across party lines apart in the course of considering the clauses of the entire report.
The contentious clause saw the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators and Reps members rejecting the calls for electronic transmission of election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members voted for electronic transmission of poll results.
Presenting the report of the committee, at the Senate plenary, Chairman of INEC Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya said their mandate was to holistically address all issues affecting the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in the country.
Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe (PDP Abia), during the clause by clause consideration of the report, had called for a division of plenary to enable Senators vote on Clause 52.
Abaribe’s move was sequel to calls for amendment of the section by Senators Abdullahi Sabi (APC, Niger North) and Albert Bassey (PDP Akwa Ibom North East).
Senator Sabi had sought an amendment to Section 52 (3) which read inter alia “The Commission may transmit results by electronic means where and when practicable.”
The Senator had prayed the Upper Chamber to amend the section to read, “that the Commission may consider electronic transmission of election results provided the network coverage in the area concerned is adjudged to be conducive for transmission of results, by the National Communication Commission (NCC).”
Senator Bassey, on the other hand, had sought an amendment to reflect that INEC may allow for Electronic Transmission of results where and when practicable.
Attempt by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan (APC/Tobe), to rule in favour of Senator Sabi’s clamour was rejected by the Minority Leader, Senator Abaribe and some Senators who rose from their seats despite repeated calls by the leadership of the Senate for calm.
Flowing from this, and to douse tension, the Senate President called for a executive session.
Soon after the closed door session that lasted for about 40 minutes, the Senate Minority Leader, insisted on Order 73, which called for division of the upper chamber to enable single voting on the issue by individual Senators on whether the Senate would adopt either of the amendments by Senator Bassey or Senator Sabi.
Following Senator Abaribe’s call for division, Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) called for caution, warning that lawmakers must be wary of anything that would affect cohesion in the Red Chamber.
Opposing Senator Bassey’s amendment, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu cautioned Abaribe over demands for electronic transmission of election results.
He claimed that the South East state had neither stable electricity or sufficient telecommunication coverage to guarantee efficient transmission of results.
Others who voted against Bassey’ move argued that Nigeria was not ripe for electronic voting and transmission of result.
Though the Leader of the Senate, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC Kebbi North) and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele ( APC Ekiti Central), separately made spirited efforts to make Abaribe withdraw his motion on division but Abaribe stood his ground for the division and physical counting of votes .
Before the physical voting done by calling the Senators one after the other per state, the President of the Senate explained to them that those in favour of amendment made by Senator Sabi Abdullahi should say No, while those for the counter amendment made by Senator Albert Bassey should say yes .
After the explanation, the Clerk of the Senate, Ibrahim El-Ladan presided over the election by calling the Senators one after the other on the basis of state by state.
At the end of the physical voting which lasted for about 40 minutes, a total of 80 Senators voted, out of which 52 voted for the amendment made by Senator Sabi Abdullahi and 28 voted for original provision of the clause.
As announced by the Clerk, 28 Senators were absent during the division and voting session .
While all the 52 Senators who voted for the amendment belonged to the ruling All Progressives Congress (
APC) , 26 out of the 28 Senators who voted against the amendment belonged to the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), indicating party line of voting.
All the three Senators from Anambra and Ogun States, were not at the start of the physical voting, the same way two out of the three Senators from Oyo State left the chamber before the commencement of voting.
On the basis of Yes and No voting for the original provision of the clause those who voted No were Senators Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), Ishaku Elisha (Adamawa North), Dahiru Aishatu Binani (Adamawa Central), Jika Daudu Haliru (Bauchi Central), Bukachuwa Adamu Muhammad (Bauchi North) and Degi Eremienyo (Bayelsa East).
Others were Senators Abubakar Kyari (Borno North), Shettima Kashim (Borno Central), Ali Ndume (Borno South), Stephen Odey (Cross River North), Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central), Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North), Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) and Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central).
Also voted No were Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), Amos Bulus (Gombe South), Alkali Saidu (Gombe North), Frank Ibezim (Imo North), Hadeija Hassan Ibrahim (Jigawa North East ), Abdul - Kwari Suleiman (Kaduna North ), Uba Sani ( Kaduna Central), Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) , Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina North ), Mundiya Bello (Katsina South) and Abdullahi Barkiya ( Katsina Central).
Others are Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), Abdullahi Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) , Oseni Yakubu (Kogi Central), Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West ), Isah Jibrin (Kogi East ), Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), Yahaya Oloriegbe (Kwara Central), Remi Tinubu (Lagos Central) and Olamilekan Adeola ( Lagos West), Adamu Abdullahi (Nasarawa West), Tanko Al -Makura ( Nasarawa North) , Akwashiki Godiya (Nasarawa South), Mohammed Sani (Niger East), Abdullahi Aliyu Sabi (Niger North), Bima Enagi (Niger South), Robert Boroffice (Ondo North) Basiru Ajibola (Osun Central), Adelere Oriolowo (Osun West ), Dimka Ayuba( Plateau Central ), Ibrahim Gobir ( Sokoto East ), Yusuf Yusuf (Taraba Central), Isa Shuaibu Lau (Taraba North), Bomai Ibrahim Mohammed (Yobe South), Sahabi Ya’u ( Zamfara North ) and Lawali Hassan Anka (Zamfara West).
Those who voted Yes were Senators
Adenugba Fadahunsi, Clifford Ordia Matthew Urhoghide, Kola Balogun ,Gyang Istifanus, George Sekibo, Biodun Olujimi, Mpigi Barinada, Betty Apiafi, Abdullahi Danbaba and Philip Aduda.
Others are Chukwuka Utazi, Abdullahi Ibrahim Danbaba , Francis Onyewuchi , Danjuma La’ah, Patrick Akinyelure, Enyinnaya Abaribe.
In his remarks after election, the Senate President explained that the 28 absentees were on official oversight functions in national interest.
He said: “We have gone through probably the most rigorous process we ever had. We had at a point had to go through a division, but that is democracy. No hard feelings and I’m sure that Nigerians will appreciate the debt of concern by all of us here. Those who voted for amendments and those who voted against, each one of us did so out of conviction for what we believe will be better for this country. In this case the Electoral Amendment Bill has now been passed by the Senate and we expect that the House of Representatives, our counterparts will do the same.”
At the House, Lawmakers Engage in Verbal and Physical Blows
As expected, the clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Act amendment Bill in the House of Representatives led to the physical combat among lawmakers. Following the heated argument that ensued among the lawmakers, the plenary activities were halted for about four times.
It was during the stormy session that lawmakers threw caution to the wind and engaged in physical combat. especially between Hon. Ifeanyi Momah (APGA/Anambra) and Hon. Shehu Koko; Yusuf Gagdi (APC/Plateau) and Hon.Mark Gbillah (PDP/ Benue).
The clause-by-clause consideration was almost enjoying smooth sailing in the House until they got to Section 52(2) of the proposed legislation which gives discretion to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adopt electronic voting or any other method of voting in any election it conducts as it may deem fit.
To amend the section, Hon. Shehu Koko (APC/ Kebbi) moved a motion that under Section 52(2), accreditation and voting should be done electronically, while collation and violation should be done manually, but lawmakers shouted No! to the motion.
Lawmakers in both chambers became charged as they debated the reports of the legislations especially the clause that provided for electronic transmission of election results in electoral act and the 3 percent granted as equity fund for host communities in PIB. The outcome of that debate (electoral act) was a clear indication that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Senate and the House of Representatives, support future elections being delegitimized