Nigeria: All APC Senators Vote Against Electronic Transmission of Results (The Full List)

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::

A COMPILATION OF SENATORS VOTE FOR OR AGAINST ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF ELECTION RESULTS (A few names still missing)

Robert Ajayi Boroffice YES

Surajudeen Basiru NO

Adenugba Fadahunsi YES

Clifford Ordia YES

Matthew Urhoghide YES

Francis Alimikhena NO

Kola Balogun YES

Ezekiel Ayuba NO

Abubakar Kyari NO

Gyang Istifanus YES

Senator Gyagung Ladi NO

George Sekibo YES

Ali Ndume NO

Opeyemi Bamidele NO

Biodun Olujimi YES

Mpigi Barinada YES

Betty Apiafi YES

Gobir Abdullahi NO

Abdullahi Danbaba NO

Philip Aduda YES

Chukwuka Utazi YES

Mohammed Goje NO

Danbaba YES

Yusuf Yusuf NO

Isa Shuaibu Lau NO

Mohammed Goje NO

Bomai Ibrahim Mohammed NO

Francis Onyewuchi YES

Yau Sahabi NO

Uba Sani NO

Danjuma La’ah YES

Kabiru Gaya NO

Ishaku Elisha Abo NO

Baba Kaita NO

Adamu Aliero NO

Yahaya Abdullahi NO

Yakubu Oseni NO

Isa Jibrin NO

Smart Adeyemi NO

Ibrahim Oloriegbe NO

Oluremi Tinubu NO

Solomon Adeola NO

Tanko Al-Makura NO

Godiya Akwashiki NO

Abdullahi Adamu NO

Musa Mohammed Sani NO

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi NO

Bima Enagi NO

Patrick Akinyelure YES

FINAL VOTE FIGURES ON ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION

AYES: 28
NAYS: 52
ABSENT: 28
ABSTAIN: 0
TOTAL VOTES: 80
TOTAL NO. OF REGISTERED SENATORS: 109

(as announced by Clerk of Senate and validated by Senate President, Ahmad Lawan)

By Abel Ejikeme

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