- Safiu Kehinde
The House of Representatives’ plenary session on Tuesday has ended in chaos as some slammed the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration over the Electoral Act Amendment bill, labelling the ruling party a haven of thieves.
NPO earlier Reported the discord and rumpus which ensued at the green chamber during the plenary session.
The House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abass, was faced with a chaotic scene triggered by a motion raised by Francis Waive.
According to reports, Waive had moved a motion seeking the rescission of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill to allow the House to reconsider the legislation.
The Delta state lawmaker’s motion was seconded by Hon. Bayo Balogun, Chairman of the Committee on Electoral Matters.
However, this was turned down by majority of the lawmakers who audibly voted ‘nay’ when thrown to the house by the Abass for voting.
The Speaker’s decision to rule in favour of those who voted in support of the motion would trigger the chaos as lawmakers could be seen challenging one another.
The refusal of the chamber’s leadership to review the provisions of the Electoral Act clause-by-clause further intensified the chaos as lawmakers protested while Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, read the clauses.
Effort to bring the house back to order proved abortive as the discord continued with some of the lawmakers, identified as members of the Minority Caucus, seen walking out of the chamber.
Video shared on X showed the lawmakers chanting ‘APC Ole! (Thief)’ as they exited the premises.
Recall that the amendment bill had sparked controversies and protest over the initial removal of the clause seeking mandatory electronic transmission of election results by the Senate.
Despite the Senate’s reversal of the decision, the protest against the Electoral Act amendment bill persisted with demonstrators storming the National Assembly complex earlier today.
They were however dispersed by police personnel who fired teargas at the protesters.