By Peter Omopo
Tension erupted in the on Tuesday as opposition lawmakers staged a walkout during plenary over moves to rescind the December 2025 passage of the Electoral Act amendment bill.
The House resolved to revisit the legislation, citing the need for fresh consideration of key provisions, including Clause 28 on notice of elections, Clause 60(3) on the electronic transmission of results, and Clause 84, which addresses nomination procedures for political parties.
The decision followed an executive session convened amid efforts by opposition members to block the reversal. When plenary resumed for clause-by-clause consideration, tensions quickly escalated.
Several lawmakers, largely from opposition parties, gathered in front of the mace, chanting “clause by clause” and insisting that the Speaker personally preside over proceedings. The protest underscored dissatisfaction with the decision to reopen debate on a bill already passed in December.
The Deputy Speaker, who chaired the Committee of the Whole, informed members that deliberations had continued until about 2 a.m. on Tuesday. He subsequently restarted proceedings, reading each clause individually and calling for votes in an attempt to restore order.
However, calm proved short-lived when Clause 60 — a contentious provision dealing with the electronic transmission of election results — was called. Lawmakers again moved toward the mace in protest, chanting as proceedings became rowdy.
The House eventually agreed to conduct a formal division to determine its position, following a motion moved by Leke Abejide, in line with parliamentary rules.
Clause 60 of the amended bill provides that the Presiding Officer shall electronically transmit results from each polling unit to the IREV portal after Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the Presiding Officer and, where available, countersigned by candidates or polling agents.
The clause also contains a proviso stating that where electronic transmission fails due to communication challenges, the manually completed Form EC8A shall remain the primary source for collation and declaration of results.
The development marks the latest episode in ongoing legislative debates over reforms to Nigeria’s electoral framework, with divisions within the chamber reflecting broader political sensitivities surrounding election transparency and result transmission.
