Members of the opposition parties in Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Tuesday (17/2/26) walked out of the House in protest against the move to reverse the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment bill.
According to reports, the ugly development came after an executive session called by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, did not resolve the issue as the House was plunged into another rowdy session over the bill.
Trouble began after Francis Waive, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Rules and Business, moved a motion for the House to reverse its decision on the bill which was passed on December last year.
When Abbas put the motion to a voice vote. While the “nays” were louder than the “ayes”, he surprisingly ruled that the ayes had it, a development which triggered protest and leading to the House going into executive session.
Not being able to agree on any amendment, on return from the executive session, members stood on their feet and prevented the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, from continuing with the proceedings.
The aggrieved members who walked out of the plenary sang uncomplimentary songs calling the ruling APC thieves as the shouted in a video that had since gone viral: APC Oleh (thief).
The lawmakers continued their protest over Clause 60(3) which deals with compulsory electronic transmission of results.
