Reps in Rowdy Session Over Motion to Rescind Passage of Electoral Act Amendment Bill

Legislative proceedings momentarily went rowdy following a motion to rescind the passage of the Electoral Act amendment bill.

The House had reconvened from its budget defence sessions to reconsider some clauses in the bill.

The Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive had moved a motion for the House to rescind its decision on the bill in December and he was seconded by the Chair, Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun.

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When the Speaker put the question to a voice vote, the “nays” appeared to have it, but he ruled in favour of the “ayes.”

The ruling sparked a rowdy session as several lawmakers protested the decision, prompting the Speaker to direct the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, to move a motion for an executive session.

The House of Representatives subsequently went into a closed-door session following the disruption.

The House had earlier reconvened from its budget defence session to deliberate on the controversy trailing the passage of the Electoral Act amendment bill.

Tension heightened after members accused the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, Benjamin Kalu, of failing to consider the bill clause-by-clause before its passage, triggering an uproar in the chamber.