Speaker of Nigeria’s Parliament, Femi Gbajabiamila has dismissed reports that the leadership of the National Assembly altered the report on the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill 2020 that is still awaiting consideration by the Legislature.
Mr Gbajabiamila on Tuesday while reacting to the claims said the thought only existed in the “realm of speculation.”
Gbajabiamila clarified that nothing had happened to the authentic report on the bill, adding that the House would pass it in the next few days.
Some media reports had lately conveyed the impression that the leadership of the National Assembly had altered the report, especially the provision on electronic voting, where it allegedly reversed the committee recommendation that election results should be transmitted electronically.
However, addressing a point of privilege raised on the floor on Tuesday on the allegation, the speaker said it was mere speculation and urged Nigerians to discountenance it.
Gbajabiamila expressed surprise that anyone would accuse the leadership of altering the report of a bill still in the custody of the Committee on Electoral Matters.
He said, “I really don’t want to speak on a report that has yet to be presented to the floor….Ordinarily, I will not comment on a matter that is not before us yet.
“I don’t believe there is any alteration to the committee’s report.
“Only the authentic report of the committee will be submitted for consideration. So, all that is being said remains in the realm of speculation.
“I have asked the chairman of the committee and she told me that there has been nothing like that (alteration).”
Both the Senate and the House had announced last week that the bill would be passed before July 14.
By Abel Ejikeme