Senate In Rowdy Session As They Adopt Change In Election Time Table

Senate in plenary (File Photo)

The report of the conference committee on the amendment of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) act has been adopted by members of the Senate on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.

This follows the presentation of the report at plenary on Wednesday by the chairman of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, Senator Suleiman Nazif.

If approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, the amendment of the act will imply a change in order of elections as been proposed by the lawmakers.

According to the proposal by the federal lawmakers, National Assembly elections would hold first in 2019, followed by that of the state lawmakers and state governors, with the presidential election coming up last.

Up to 10 members of the Senate staged a walk-out in protest against the adoption of the report by the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on the Amendment to the Electoral Act.

They claim despite the adoption of the report by the Senate, they would work towards reversing the proposed order.

The protesting lawmakers alleged that the amendment was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki also ruled against three senators who raised points of order to protest against the adoption.

Saraki had after the presentation, put up the report for adoption via a voice vote, saying there was no need for debate on it as it was from a conference committee which had harmonised the versions of the two chambers.

After the vote, the ‘ayes’ had it and Saraki ruled on it — a development that generated an uproar in the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly.