By Joy Yesufu
Proceedings in the House of Representatives descended into chaos on Tuesday following sharp disagreements over a motion seeking to rescind the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
The motion was moved during plenary by Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, who urged lawmakers to reverse the chamber’s earlier decision on the bill, which was passed on December 23, 2025.
Tensions rose when Speaker Tajudeen Abbas subjected the motion to a voice vote. Although the “nays” appeared louder than the “ayes,” the Speaker ruled that the motion had been defeated, sparking protests from some lawmakers who questioned the decision.
The disputed amendment relates to the House’s earlier adoption of a proposal mandating the real-time transmission of election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
The disagreement highlights ongoing divisions within the chamber over electoral reforms, particularly provisions aimed at enhancing transparency and public confidence in Nigeria’s election management system.
