The Senate has appointed Senator 12 committee members to work with the House of Representatives on the Electoral Amendment Act saga.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced the members of the committee on Tuesday during an emergency plenary session.
Those named to the committee are Senator Simon Lalong, who will serve as chairman, alongside Senators Orji Uzor Kalu, Tahir Mungono, Adamu Aliero, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Aminu Iya Abbas, Tokunbo Abiru, Niyi Adegbonmire (SAN), Jibrin Isah, Ipalibo Banigo, and Onyekachi Nwebonyi.
Announcing the list, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the number of members was increased from nine to 12 following consultations.
“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,” Akpabio said.
He urged the committee to treat its assignment with urgency, expressing confidence that the process could be concluded quickly.
“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,” he added.
Akpabio said the committee’s report would be forwarded promptly to President Bola Tinubu for assent before the end of February, after which he struck the gavel to formally inaugurate the panel.
Tension in the chamber
The decision followed a rowdy session that erupted shortly after the Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), raised a point of order seeking to reverse the Senate’s earlier approval of Clause 60(3) of the bill.
Monguno based his motion on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended), and it was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central).
The move immediately triggered protests from several lawmakers, with multiple points of order raised as tempers flared.
The situation worsened when Monguno read out a revised version of Clause 60(3), omitting the phrase “real-time” and substituting the word “transmission” with “transfer.”
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) objected forcefully, repeatedly raising points of order as the chamber descended into shouting.
According to page 45 of the report by the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Clause 60(3) provides that: “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.”
As the disagreement peaked, Abaribe invoked Order 72 of the Standing Orders, demanding a division of the chamber.
