Senate President Godswill Akpabio has responded to criticisms surrounding the Senate’s amendment of the Electoral Act, saying that commentators and civil society actors are misjudging the legislature based on an incomplete legislative process and misunderstanding of parliamentary procedures.
Akpabio made this statement at the unveiling of a book, “The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria”, authored by Senator Effiong Bob, in Abuja.
Akpabio emphasised that the Electoral Act amendment had yet to complete, and the Senate had not finalised its position on the bill.
The Senate President clarified that the Senate did not remove electronic transmission of election results but rather questioned the requirement for real-time transmission, citing potential legal disputes and infrastructure challenges.
Akpabio explained that the Votes and Proceedings stage allowed senators to correct, amend, or clarify decisions taken on the floor before final approval.
Akpabio criticised commentators for what he described as “abuse” of the legislature, accusing some civil society actors of attempting to impose their views on lawmakers.
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The Senate President emphasised that electoral reforms must be grounded in legal and institutional capacity, warning against imposing technology beyond the country’s infrastructure.
He also stressed that laws must be made for posterity rather than partisan advantage.
The Senate will continue its work on the Electoral Act amendment, with a conference committee set to reconcile differences between the Senate and House of Representatives versions before final passage.
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