BEVERLY HILLS, February 14, (THEWILL) – About 10 aggrieved members of the Senate, on Wednesday, staged a walk-out in protest against the adoption of the report by the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on the Amendment to the Electoral Act.
The upper legislative chamber adopted the timetable after it considered the recommendations of the Committee in sync with the House of Representatives which had also changed the order of the timetable for the election by amending the act.
The aggrieved Senators alleged that the amendment was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari declaring that they would work towards its reversal.
The Senator representing Bauchi North, Suleiman Nazif, made the submission at plenary for the adoption of the report while Senator Jeremiah Useni, Plateau South, seconded that the upper house receives and consider the report and Senate President Bukola Saraki put it to a voice vote.
Before he put it to vote, he said: “Let me remind us what the procedures are for conference report, very simple and straight forward. You either adopt the report or you reject the report.”
However, it was not smooth sailing for the amendment to be passed as three lawmakers rose against the amendment of section 25(c) of the Electoral Act.
Ovie Omo-Agege, Senator representing Delta central, stood up to give a personal explanation on the matter but was ruled out of order.
Another Senator, Abdullahi Adamu, Nasarawa West, declared that he believes the amendment is partisan and pre-determined by members of a political party threatened by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Also, Kabiru Gaya, Senator representing Kano south, wondered why the issue of the amended timetable would be brought up when it was never discussed at the senate.
“The conference committee shall deliberate only within the Senate and the House of Representatives. The conference Committee shall not insert in its report any matter not referred to it by either the Senate or House of Representatives,” Gaya said.
“This report of sequence of election was never discussed in the Senate here. So why are we bringing it up here?”
At this point, Saraki said: “You are a ranking Senator and I have all the utmost respect for you. Distinguished colleagues in my comments, I said, this institution we must protect it.
“I know this politics is local and I appreciate that. As much as it is local, we also have to maintain integrity of this institution. So I have heard you and I am sure your constituency too has heard you. But I am sorry I have to rule you out of order.”
Dissatisfied, the aggrieved senators then walked out.
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