July 15, (THEWILL) – Much drama played out in the House of Representatives on Thursday and finally climaxed in the stalemate over the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
Rising tempers and threats of violence on both sides of those who were “for” and “against” the affirmation of an innovation in the electoral system forced the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to adjourn plenary till Friday.
The House spent about two hours on clause 52(2) of the Bill as several attempts to have it amended were overruled by the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, who presided over the Committee of the Whole to consider the clauses of the Bill.
Wase had overruled the voice vote on the electronic transmission of election results, turning the chamber into rowdiness.
While the ayes were apparently more than the nays, he ruled that the nays had it, forcing many members to rise in protest against the ruling.
Several lawmakers had dashed towards where he was seated, forcing the Sergeants-at-Arms to secure the mace and the Deputy Speaker.
The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, watched from where he was seated while the protests lasted about 15 minutes.
Gbajabiamila was forced to take over from Wase and summoned the INEC and NCC bosses.
On Friday, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu; and Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof Umar Danbatta, are to brief the chamber on the implication of having election results transmitted electronically.
The decision to invite the two men having been reached, the Speaker called for adjournment of plenary immediately.
The House dissolved in a cacophony of clamorous and discordant voices.
