By Obinna Uballa
The Senate after a rowdy session on Tuesday constituted a 12-member conference committee to harmonise positions with the House of Representatives on the Electoral Amendment Bill, following heightened controversy over proposed changes to Clause 60 of the legislation.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the names of the lawmakers during an emergency plenary session, explaining that the committee’s size was increased from nine to 12 after consultations with Senate leadership.
The committee will be chaired by Senator Simon Lalong and includes Senators Orji Uzor Kalu, Tahir Monguno, Adamu Aliero, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Aminu Iya Abbas, Tokunbo Abiru, Niyi Adegbonmire (SAN), Jibrin Isah, Ipalibo Banigo, and Onyekachi Nwebonyi.
Akpabio urged the lawmakers to treat the assignment as urgent.
“After consultation with the leadership, we have moved the number from nine to 12. I will now read out the names of the conference committee members from the Senate.
“When you meet, you should recognise that this is a matter of urgency. I believe that if you are able to conclude within the next few days or one week, the President should be able to sign the amended Electoral Bill into law within the month of February,” he said.
He added that the outcome of the committee’s work would be transmitted promptly to President Bola Tinubu for assent before the end of February, before formally constituting the panel.
The move followed a rowdy session in the chamber earlier in the day after the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), raised a point of order seeking the rescission of the Senate’s earlier approval of Clause 60(3) of the bill.
Monguno based his request on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended), and was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central).
Tension escalated when Monguno read the clause without the phrase “real-time” and substituted the word “transmission” with “transfer,” triggering protests from several senators.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) strongly objected, repeatedly raising points of order as the chamber descended into shouting.
According to page 45 of the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Clause 60(3) states: “The Presiding Officer shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to IREV portal in real time and such transmission shall be done after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the Presiding Officer and/or countersigned by the candidates or polling agents available at the polling unit.”
At the peak of the disagreement, Abaribe invoked Order 72 of the Standing Orders and called for a division.
