The Senate session regarding the collation of results from the presidential and National Assembly elections of 2023 was marked by significant tension. Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, representing Kwara Central, invoked Orders 41 and 51 to propose a motion aimed at urging calm among political parties, stakeholders, and the general public. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the rule of law during the election process. Oloriegbe received support from fellow senators in the All Progressives Congress, who agreed that the highest legislative body should play a role in alleviating the unrest among political factions. He called on all political actors and citizens to remain composed and allow the collation and announcement of election results to proceed in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Senator Sani Musa contributed to the discussion by clarifying the process of accreditation and verification, which he stated must be conducted using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). He explained that while real-time transmission of results is not feasible, the process involves publishing results on BVAS before they can be sent to back-end servers and subsequently uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Results Viewing Portal (IREV). Musa pointed out that INEC has faced numerous attacks without significant concern being raised about those incidents. Senator Opeyemi Bamidele echoed the call for patience, urging Nigerians to allow INEC to complete its work while also appealing to the judiciary to refrain from interfering in the electoral process without following proper procedures.
Tensions escalated when opposition leader Senator Betty Apiafi criticized the timing of the motion, arguing that it was inappropriate to discuss such matters during a critical period. She contended that it was not within the Senate’s purview to dictate INEC’s guidelines. While the All Progressives senators sought to advance the motion, opposition senators voiced their disagreement. Senator Orker-Jev suggested that the Senate should withdraw the order to avoid further controversy, warning of potential public unrest. Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa also cautioned against the Senate’s involvement in the ongoing disputes surrounding the election results, asserting that the legislative body should remain neutral to prevent exacerbating party-line controversies.
Deputy Minority Leader Senator Chukwuka Utazi emphasized the Senate’s responsibility to stabilize the political climate in light of the agitation following the February 25 election. He urged all government agencies to adhere to legal stipulations. Senator Uche Ekwunife remarked on the heightened tension and apprehension among the populace, asserting that the only viable solution is for INEC to adhere strictly to the Constitution and the Electoral Act. Similarly, Senator Biodun Olujimi from Ekiti South highlighted the ongoing nature of the electoral process, advocating for adherence to INEC’s guidelines and the Electoral Law to prevent inciting violence.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan clarified that the legislation passed pertains to the snapping of election results and their transfer to a server, rather than electronic transmission. He reiterated that the Electoral Act does not include provisions for real-time transmission but rather outlines a process for transferring results after all necessary documentation is completed. Lawan urged INEC to comply with the Electoral Act and reassured citizens that the Senate’s role is not to interpret the law but to guide discussions on electoral principles. He concluded by stating that individuals dissatisfied with INEC’s decisions should seek recourse through the courts.
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