Tensions flared in the House of Representatives on Tuesday as opposition lawmakers staged a dramatic walkout during plenary following a contentious move to rescind parts of the
The disruption began after Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, moved a motion seeking to reverse the chamber’s earlier approval of the bill passed on December 23, 2025. The motion targeted Clause 60(3), which mandates compulsory electronic transmission of election results from polling units to collation centres.
Trouble escalated when Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the motion to a voice vote and ruled that the “ayes” had carried the day despite loud objections from lawmakers who argued that the “nays” were clearly louder.
The ruling triggered protests, with several members accusing the House leadership of bias and procedural irregularities. An executive session convened to calm tensions failed to resolve the disagreement, and proceedings later degenerated into a rowdy session.
At the peak of the confrontation, some lawmakers reportedly stood in protest and prevented Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu from continuing proceedings.
Aggrieved opposition members subsequently staged a walkout from the chamber and proceeded to the House of Representatives Media Centre, where they addressed journalists. As they arrived at the media briefing venue, the lawmakers chanted “ole” (thief) in protest, expressing anger over what they described as an attempt to undermine electronic transmission of election results.
The lawmakers insisted that Clause 60(3) remains critical to strengthening transparency, credibility, and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The incident underscored widening political divisions within the House over proposed electoral reforms and signaled potential legislative battles ahead as debates over election transparency intensify.
