The House of Representatives on Tuesday descended into a rowdy session after moving to rescind its earlier decision on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The motion, moved by Hon. Francis E. Waive, followed concerns raised by a technical harmonisation committee comprising members of both chambers of the National Assembly. The committee reportedly identified inconsistencies and unintended consequences in parts of the bill.
Waive argued that correcting the anomalies was necessary to safeguard the integrity, inclusivity, and efficiency of Nigeria’s electoral framework.
However, when Speaker Abbas Tajudeen put the motion to a voice vote, the “nays” appeared louder than the “ayes.” Despite this, the Speaker ruled in favour of the “ayes,” declaring the motion carried.
The decision sparked protests from lawmakers, leading to heated exchanges and a tense atmosphere in the chamber. The House later moved into a closed-door session to restore order and continue deliberations.
