By Our Reporter
A heated session erupted in the House of Representatives on Tuesday as lawmakers clashed over moves to rescind and recommit the December 2025 Electoral Act Amendment Bill, including provisions on real-time electronic transmission of election results.
In an emergency meeting called to discuss and trash out issues that would shape the credibility of the 2027 general elections, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided, said the sitting was convened solely to address the rescission and recommittal of the bill, calling it a crucial national assignment.
Leading the motion, Hon. Francis Waive (Delta) invoked Order Nine, Rule 6 of the House Standing Orders, noting that although the bill was passed in December 2025, a technical harmonisation committee later identified inconsistencies and unintended consequences in some clauses.
Waive said the review, conducted by representatives of both chambers, legal drafters and clerks of the National Assembly, revealed the need for further legislative action to ensure maximum participation, fairness, inclusivity and public confidence in the electoral system ahead of 2027.
The House Committee on Electoral Act Chairman, Adebayo Balogun, subsequently moved a motion to recommit the bill for fresh consideration by the Committee of the Whole.
However, tensions rose when the Speaker put the question on rescinding the bill. Despite loud “nays” from the floor, Abbas ruled in favour of the “ayes” and struck the gavel, prompting protests from lawmakers who insisted the “nays” had prevailed. The Speaker later called for a closed-door session.
The development underscores a renewed push by the House to fine-tune the electoral framework as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify, with lawmakers pledging to strengthen transparency and credibility in the country’s democratic process.