By Charles Maduka
Proceedings in the senate were thrown into disorder on Tuesday after lawmakers clashed over a motion seeking to overturn an earlier decision on the electronic transmission of election results contained in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
The tension surfaced during the debate on a motion sponsored by Tahir Monguno, senator representing Borno north, which called on the upper chamber to rescind its approval of clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026, a provision that addresses the framework for electronic transmission of election results.
Monguno explained that the motion was necessitated by what he described as fresh concerns identified after a closer examination of the bill following its passage earlier in the month. He argued that the clause required further legislative attention to prevent ambiguities that could negatively affect the conduct of elections.
Relying on provisions of the senate standing orders, Monguno urged his colleagues to allow the chamber revisit the clause and recommit it to the committee of the whole for reconsideration. He maintained that such a step would enhance, rather than weaken, the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s electoral process.
The motion received support from Abba Moro, the senate minority leader, who seconded it and agreed that electoral laws must undergo rigorous scrutiny because of their far-reaching implications for democracy and political stability.
However, the debate soon turned heated when Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia south, raised a point of order. He argued that the senate could not reopen the clause in the manner proposed and insisted that, at the minimum, senators should be given the opportunity to vote individually on the issue.
Abaribe’s objection sparked loud exchanges across the chamber, with several senators speaking at the same time and questioning the procedure being followed. The disagreement quickly escalated into a rowdy session as lawmakers argued over the admissibility of the motion and whether revisiting concluded decisions could set a troubling precedent.
For about ten minutes, legislative activities were stalled as the senate leadership struggled to restore order. Senate President Godswill Akpabio repeatedly appealed for calm, urging senators to observe parliamentary rules and allow the presiding officer manage the debate.
After relative calm was restored, Akpabio asked Abaribe whether he intended to formally pursue the point of order he had raised. The lawmaker declined, allowing plenary to continue.
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