Fresh wahala burst for National Assembly on Tuesday as minority members of the House of Representatives stage walkout over controversial parts of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, while police tear-gas protesters wey gather outside to demand compulsory real-time electronic transmission of election results ahead of 2027 elections.
Inside chamber, plenty argument and political tension dey as House finally agree adopt Clause 60(3), wey allow both electronic and manual transmission of election results. Lawmakers also pass Clause 84, wey deal with how political parties go take nominate their candidates.
This decision mean say House of Reps don align with Senate position on conditional e-transmission, despite earlier support for full electronic transmission.
Opposition lawmakers and civil society groups accuse the National Assembly of weakening electoral process and “programming rigging into law.”
Minority Walk Out Over Clause 60(3)
Trouble start during clause-by-clause consideration of the bill inside Committee of the Whole. Lawmaker Bamidele Salam move motion make dem remove manual transmission option, say election results suppose dey transmitted electronically without exception. Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda second the motion.
But when dem put am for voice vote, majority reject am.
Angered by the decision, minority lawmakers waka comot plenary.
Talking to journalists, Chinda say dem no fit support any law wey go open door for manipulation.
“Our stand clear. Results suppose dey transmitted electronically. Any clause wey allow manipulation, we reject am,” he talk.
Protest Outside NASS, Police Fire Tear Gas
While lawmakers dey clash inside, outside turn battlefield as police fire tear gas to scatter protesters at the gate of the National Assembly.
Hundreds of protesters, including youths and women groups, gather demand make real-time electronic transmission compulsory. During the confusion, some people fall down and elderly woman reportedly faint.
Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore describe police action as attack on democracy.
“This na war against participatory democracy,” Sowore talk, insisting say protesters only wan access gallery to monitor lawmakers.
Civil Society, Labour Demand Credible Elections
Earlier, coalition of civil society groups and organised labour under Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) storm National Assembly. Dem demand strong reforms and warn lawmakers no weaken Electoral Act.
Dem insist say real-time electronic transmission to Independent National Electoral Commission Result Viewing Portal must be mandatory.
Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress also support the protest, say credible elections dey important for national stability.
Senate Stands Ground, Reduces Election Notice
For Senate side, lawmakers amend Electoral Act to reduce election notice period from 360 days to 300 days, to avoid clash with Ramadan fasting period.
Senate again reject compulsory real-time e-transmission as 55 senators vote make manual transmission remain where network fail, while 15 oppose am. Senate President Godswill Akpabio describe the vote as “democracy in action.”
The amended bill now go go harmonisation between Senate and House before transmission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
As 2027 dey approach, the Electoral Act amendment don open new round of political battle, protest and public pressure on lawmakers.
