‘ I Invoked Order 73 To Expose PDP, APC Senators’

THeminority leader of the Senate, Senator Enyinaya Abaribe has disclosed that most of his colleagues betrayed him after he spoke to them on electronic voting provision in the electoral act, saying the betrayal forced him to call for division, to expose them to the world.

A close ally of the minority leader spoke to Senate press corps members, giving details of how Abaribe lobbied but was betrayed.

Senator Sabi Abdullahi, representing Niger State, had sought for amendment to the clause 52( 3), saying, “The commission may consider electronics collation of results provided the National Network Coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secured by the National Communication Commission and approved by the National Assembly.

This means ceding some of the job of INEC to NCC and National Assembly itself.”

This was against the amendment sought by Senator Bassey Akpan, which was also the same as the recommendation by the INEC Committee that presented the report, saying the Commission may transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable at its discretion.

During voice vote, the nays had it as the minority leader challenged the ruling by the President of the Senate, calling for order 73, which means division.

The order states that any senator may challenge the opinion of the President or the chairman’s ruling on a voice vote by claiming a division on any matter before the upper legislative chamber.

It was gathered that Abaribe had a special session with PDP senators on the electoral amendment bill, over the clauses, especially on electronic transmission of results, to stop the menace of election rigging in Nigeria.

“They all agreed to support the electronic transmission as he also lobbied most APC Senators, who saw reasons with him, for election accountability and the need to have free and fair election in Nigeria.

“Many agreed and gave him their word to support the use of electronic transmission of results when the clauses are deliberated upon on the floor.