Tension gripped the Senate chamber on Tuesday as lawmakers returned to revisit a controversial decision taken the previous week on the Electoral Act amendment bill. What began as a routine session quickly spiraled into a heated exchange over the electronic transmission of election results.
The drama unfolded when Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), invoked Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended) to move a motion seeking to rescind the Senate’s earlier position on Clause 60(3) of the bill. His move was promptly seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central).
As Monguno read the clause and proposed an amendment notably replacing the word “transfer” with “transmission” and removing the phrase “real-time” — the atmosphere in the chamber grew charged. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) repeatedly raised points of order, objecting to the alteration and demanding strict adherence to procedure.
Clause 60(3), as contained on page 45 of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters’ report, originally stated that presiding officers must electronically transmit polling unit results to the IREV portal “in real time” after completing and signing Form EC8A, with candidates or their agents countersigning where available. However, the version presented during Tuesday’s debate excluded the “real-time” requirement, a change that quickly became the focal point of contention.
Voices rose, tempers flared, and the chamber turned rowdy as lawmakers argued over the implications of the amendment. In a dramatic moment, Abaribe invoked Order 72, which calls for a division — a formal vote to determine lawmakers’ positions individually. Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the request, noting that a point of order for division had been raised.
But just as the situation seemed headed for a recorded vote, Abaribe stepped back and withdrew his request for division, easing tensions and allowing proceedings to continue.
By the close of the session, the Senate had approved electronic transmission of results, but without the previously stipulated “real-time” requirement a decision that may continue to stir debate both within and outside the National Assembly.