Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
The adoption of the report by the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on the Amendment to the Electoral Act took another twist on Wednesday as some members of the Red Chamber staged a walk-out in protest against the adoption.
Bukola Saraki, Senate President had after receiving the report, put the adoption to voice vote, stressing that there was no need for debate on it as it was from a conference committee which had harmonised the versions of the two chambers.
After the vote, the ‘ayes’ had it and Saraki ruled on it — a development that generated an uproar in the chamber.
The protesting lawmakers also alleged that the amendment was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the protesting Senator’s, despite the adoption of the report by the Senate, they would insist on its reversal.
Senator Suleiman Nazif, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, had earlier presented the report at the plenary.
Saraki however ruled against three senators who raised points of order to protest against the adoption.