The Nigerian Senate on Thursday voted against the electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Amendment Bill, with all the votes against the move coming from the senators of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Senate ruled that INEC must seek approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission and the National Assembly on areas that have network or not before electronic transmission of results is done.
The upper chamber approved electronic voting.
Twenty-eight lawmakers had voted for the electronic transmission of results while fifty-two lawmakers voted against the electronic transmission of election results.
In the results announced by the Clerk of the Senate and validated by Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, eighty lawmakers cast their vote with twenty-eight lawmakers absent.
Earlier, the clause-by-clause consideration of the electoral bill was disrupted by disagreement among the lawmakers over Section 52(3) of the bill.
The section deals with the electronic transmission of results during elections. It states ” The Commission may transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable.”
The Senate Deputy Whip, Sabi Abdullahi had moved to amend the section to read, “The commission may consider electronic transmission provided the national network coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the Nigerian Communications Commission and approved by the National Assembly,” he proposed.
His opinion however stirred grumbling in the chamber but the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, moved that they vote on the amendment.
When put to vote, the resounding “nays” were louder than the “ayes” but Mr Lawan ruled in favour of the amendment.
Akwa Ibom senator, Bassey Akpan, moved that the clause be re-amended to the initial section as contained in the bill.
Another vote was done and Mr Lawan again ruled in favour of Mr Abdullahi’s amendment.
Loud arguments and chaos followed as unsatisfied lawmakers were seen leaving their seats and shouting – making it unable for either the chief whip or Senate President to control the lawmakers.
While the yelling lasted for more than 15 minutes Mr Lawan called for an executive session.
The issue of electronic transmission of election results has been a major recommendation from Nigerians and the lawmakers at some point, attempted to omit that section from the legislation.
Shortly after the executive session, Senators voted on the mode of transmission of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission on election day.
Here’s a list of how the lawmakers voted::
FINAL VOTE FIGURES ON ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION
AYES: 28
NAYS: 52
ABSENT: 28
ABSTAIN: 0
TOTAL VOTES: 80
Those that votes YES
Enyinnaya Abaribe
Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi
Clifford Ordia
Matthew Urhoghide
Gyang Istifanus
George Sekibo
Biodun Olujimi
Mpigi Barinada
Betty Apiafi
Philip Aduda
Chukwuka Utazi
Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba
Danjuma La’ah
Francis Onyewuchi
Patrick Ayo Akinyelure
Kola Balogun
Eyankeyi Akon Etim
Christopher Ekpenyong
Seriake Dickson
Cleopas Zuwoghe
Emmanuel Orker-jev
Sandy Onor
Gershom Bassey
James Manager
Obinna Ogba
Sam Egwu
Nnachi Ama Micheal
Bassey Albert Bassey
Those who voted for INEC to seek clearance from NCC before transmission of results electronically:
Ovie Omo-Agege
Peter Nwaoboshi
Mohammed Ali Ndume
Opeyemi Bamidele
Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir
Mohammed Danjuma Goje
Yusuf Yusuf
Bomai Ibrahim Mohammed
Sahabi Yau
Uba Sani
Kabiru Gaya
Ishaku Elisha Abbo
Amhad Babba Kaita
Adamu Aliero
Yahaya Abdullahi
Yakubu Oseni
Isa Jibrin
Smart Adeyemi
Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe
Oluremi Tinubu
Solomon Adeola
Tanko Al-Makura
Godiya Akwashiki
Abdullahi Adamu
Mohammed Sani Musa
Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
Birma Mohammed Enagi
Senator Dadu’ut Ladi
Francis Alimikhena
Abubakar Kyari
Senator Surajudeen Ajibola
Robert Ajayi Boroffice
Orji Uzor Kalu
Aderele Oriolowo
Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed
Degi Eremienyo
Ashiru Yisa
Bello Mandiya
Hezekiah Dimka Ayuba
Frank Ibezim
Kashim Shettima
Stephen Odeh
Shaibu Lau
Alkali Saidu
Amos Bulus
Danladi Sankara
Hadejia Hassan Ibrahim
Suleiman Abdul Kwari
Abdullahi Barkiya
Jika Dauda Haliru
Lawali Anka
Lawan Gamau
Senators who were absent
Theodore Orji
Yaroe Binos Dauda
Stella Oduah
Ike Ekweramadu
Patrick Ifieanyi Uba
Tokunbo Abiru
Bala Ibn Na’Allah
Tolu Odebiyi
Ibikunle Amosun
Olalekan Mustapha
Nicholas Tofowomo
Teslim Folarin
Buhari Abdulfatai
Aliyu Wamakko
Ibrahim Shekarau
Lilian Uche Ekwunife
Gabriel Suswam
Abba Moro
Mohammed Bulkachuwa
Emmanuel Bwacha
Mohammed Hassan
Olubunmi Adetunmbi
Chimaroke Nnamani
Rochas Okorocha
Mohammed Sabo
Barau Jibrin
Ibrahim Geidam
Umar Sadiq
TOTAL NO. OF REGISTERED SENATORS: 109
(as announced by Clerk of Senate and validated by Senate President, Ahmad Lawan)
