News
Electoral Act: Reps Fight Over e-Transmission Of Results
Row over the consideration and passage of the Electoral Act Amendment, yesterday, spread to the lower chambers of the National Assembly as members of the House of Representatives engaged themselves in exchange of blows.
The Chairman of the Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Ashatu Dukku, after presenting the report of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2021, urged the House to consider and pass the bill for the smooth conduct of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
The House quickly dissolved into a Committee of the Whole presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, for the clause-by-clause consideration of the amendment bill.
Mid-way into the exercise, the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu (PDP-Enugu) raised a point of order over clause 52 (2) of the amendment bill, saying that the clause should be amended to read that there shall be electronic transmission of all election results.
The amendment was duly seconded by the Deputy Whip, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
At this juncture, Wase expressed divergent opinion, and said that the amendment may not be in the best interest of the nation as many rural communities do not have up to 20 per cent access to electronic devices for it.
He said, “I make bold to say that only less than 20 per cent of my constituency has network coverage”.
When the motion was put to vote, the “ayes” were clearly louder but the deputy speaker ruled in favour of “nays”.
The action drew the anger of the lawmakers and commotion ensued.
When calm returned to the chambers, the deputy speaker complained that some of his colleagues insulted him.
“We have legal rights to canvass issues and lobby each other. I take exception to those who came in here to insult me”, he stated.
However, Wase’s explanation could not abate the situation as members continued their opposition to his ruling against the adoption of electronic transmission of results.
In the midst of the heated arguments, Hon. James Faleke moved an amendment that, “results should be transmitted both electronically and manually” but was shouted down.
Speaker, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, intervened, and advised the deputy speaker to accommodate as many amendments as he can but this fell on deaf ears.
But leader of the House, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, countered the speaker, reasoning that once an issue has been ruled on by the presiding officer, it cannot be resurrected.
Surprisingly, Wase, who presided over the session, said that the ‘nays’ had it, thereby throwing the House into a rowdy session.
Immediately he hit the gavel in his infamous ruling, many of the lawmakers moved up from their seats to that of the presiding officer to register their anger.
Some of the lawmakers, particularly of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) were heard shouting no! no! no! at the chambers.
It took the intervention of the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who was seated at the first row at the chamber, to calm the lawmakers’ frayed nerves.
Gbajabiamila had told the House that it was imperative to get it right in this issue of amendment to the nation’s electoral laws.
He advised that the House to rule on the position canvassed by a member, Hon. James Faleke, to the effect that those who want manual transmission of results vote separately from those who want electronic transmission of results.
But the speaker’s counsel was not acceptable to the House Leader, Hon. Ado Doguwa, who immediately stood up, and countered the speaker’s position.
He said that the ruling of any presiding officer of the House on any issue was sacrosanct, adding that on this issue, the deputy speaker had ruled.
The deputy speaker, who later addressed the House amidst the crisis generated by the ruling, said that he was surprised that the lawmakers would behave the way they did on the matter.
He said, “I take exception to the conduct of some members who came here and abused me. It happened.
“If we have to transmit election results electronically, what happens to the farmers in rural areas in Plateau and Kebbi states?”.
But the lawmakers did not agree with the presiding officer as many of them left their seats to consult their other colleagues on the matter, and the rowdy session lingered.
So many other lawmakers later moved over to the presiding officer’s seat, and staged a protest to register their grievances on the ruling.
In the midst of it all, Hon. Yusuf, Mark Gbillah, Chudy Momah and a host of others made physical advances at each other.
Gbajabiamila, who participated in the voting from the floor, took over the proceedings, and announced the adjournment of the House till 10am today for continuation of the voting on the amendment bill.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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