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Tag: Electoral Bill

  • [TNG NASS Snippets] Untold story of how lawmakers from a section of the country sealed PIB, Electoral Act

    [TNG NASS Snippets] Untold story of how lawmakers from a section of the country sealed PIB, Electoral Act

     

    This week’s edition of TheNewsGuru.com, TNG’s National Assembly Snippets will feature the following stories;

    *Untold story of how lawmakers from a section of the country sealed PIB, Electoral Act

    *Only thee Senators out of 15 from South East voted for e-voting
    *Bill seeking an increase in 13 percent derivation to 50 percent in NASS for review

    Read on;

    Untold story of how lawmakers from a section of the country sealed PIB, Electoral Act

    …with the backing of their governors

    …with 240 lawmakers against 120 from southern Nigeria no bill can fly except north supports it

    …as some southern Reps vow to adopt ‘siddon look’ approach

    …. constitution review too will go same way

    The Electoral Act Amendment 2021 and the oldest Bill in the parliament, Petroleum Industry Bill, otherwise known as PIB have been finally passed but the echoes and manners of its passage is still reverberating across Nigeria.

    The grand plot was hatched two weeks ago in the outskirts of Abuja close to the famous Zuma Rock along Abuja-Kaduna road.

    A Nigerian owned multi-national company organised a retreat for lawmakers from a section of the country and key governors were all in attendance.

    The Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum, a former Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe was there to give a direction.

    He didn’t mince words, they will give a direction when a Bill is submitted on restructuring.

    Hear him: “a lot has been said about the Petroleum Industry bill, but I will not dwell on that. But there is something that will come before you very soon. The last time Mr. President met with a delegation from the South, he made a statement.
    “He said that if a bill is presented before the National Assembly on the question of restructuring and the Assembly passes it, he will have no objection than to sign it. It then means that the matter may not be too far.

    PIB was extensively discussed at the retreat and other vital national issues as a direction would be delivered on what to do.

    The lawmakers already had a direction on what to do and how to go about it provided it suits a particular section of the country.

    The same week, Southern lawmakers met at Transcorp and the coordination to say the least was shanty.

    A few days to the passage of both Bills the president had a dinner party with all parliamentarian. It’s not unusual.

    A source privy to this development told TNG that” honestly majority of us southern lawmakers knew nothing about our agenda as there was no strategy as to how to achieve our goals.

    “In the House all the southern Reps put together are just 120 while the north has 240 so tell me how anything can fly without the support of the north.

    “By the time we start the consideration of Constitution review most of us from the south will adopt the ‘siddon look” approach as nothing can fly without the required number.

    “They have the number to swing anything in there favour with the backing of their governors and their leaders.

    “They met outside Abuja and shot the first arrow without missing but the most painful part of it is that our speaker knows what to do but his hands are tied behind.

    “He is a true democrat but unfortunately he does not have the number to give him teeth to bite so this trend will continue.

    Another lawmaker from the North Central geo-political zone apparently feeling very disappointed said” did you know that INEC was not even invited because the commission had said times without number that they can perfect e-voting.

    “The excuse given by the speaker that they don’t want any bias did not go down well with us and even the NCC director was using 2018 data when as at 2020 more than 300 million Nigerians have active mobile phones and the man said nothing reasonable.

     

    Only three Senators out of 15 from South East voted for e-voting

    As the controversial Electoral Act Amendment passage continues to generate tension across Nigeria, it has been revealed that only three Senators from South East out of 15 voted in support of the Bill for e-voting.

    A top ranking member apparently disappointed told TNG that”we are talking about betrayal by our South West colleagues what about our southern eastern senators that could not do the right thing.

    “They opened their eyes and voted for a suicide mission in 2023 that will swallow them all.

    “It was only Senators Eyinnaya Abaribe, Sam Egwu and Francis Onyebuchi that did the right thing.

     

    Bill seeking an increase in 13 percent derivation to 50 percent in NASS for review

    A Bill seeking an increase in 13 percent derivation to 50 percent is among bills scheduled in the constitutional review of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

    Read details below:

    The Bill with the long title of ‘A BiLL :FOR AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 162(2) AND (4) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999, CAP C23, LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA, 2004.Sponsored by REP. O. K. CHINDA.ENACTED by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as follows:1.

    1. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Cap C23, 2. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 hereinafter referred to as “the3. Principal Act” is hereby amended as set out in this section. 4. 2. Section 162 (2) of the Principal Act is amended by replacing the 5. word “thirteen” in the proviso thereto with the word “fifty” immediately 6. after the words “less than” and deleting the word “natural” immediately 7. before the word “resources” and adding the word “whatsoever” 8. immediately after the word “resources”, that is to say: 9. S.162(2): “The President, upon receipt of advice from the Revenue 10. Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, shall table before the11. National Assembly proposals for revenue allocation from the 12. Federation Account, and in determining the formula, the National 13. Assembly shall take into account, the allocation principles, especially 14. those of population, equality of States; internal revenue generation, 15. land mass, terrain as well as population density:16. Provided that the principle of derivation shall be constantly reflected in 17. any approved formula as being not less than “fifty” percent of the 18. revenue accruing to the Federation Account directly from any19. resources “whatsoever”. 20. 3. Section 162 (4) of the Principal Act is also amended by inserting or 21. adding a new subsection 4 to be numbered as (4)(a) immediately after 22. the subsisting Section 162 (4) of the Principal Act, that is to say:23. S.162(4)(a) “For purposes of derivation provisions in this Section, 24. the continental shelf of a State shall be deemed to be part of 25. that State”. EXPLANATORY NOTEThis Bill essentially seeks to increase the revenue allocation accruable to States from any mineral resources from thirteen to 50 percent. And in order to further give effect to this, the continental shelf of a State shall be reckoned as and deemed to be part of that State.

  • How Nigerians bombarded me with 900 text messages in one day over alleged ‘doctoring’ of Electoral Bill – Lawan

    How Nigerians bombarded me with 900 text messages in one day over alleged ‘doctoring’ of Electoral Bill – Lawan

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan has refuted allegations the Senate had introduced extraneous clauses into the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill.

    Lawan spoke following the laying of the report on the Bill by the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, Senator Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) at plenary.

    Key among the clauses said to have been surreptitiously introduced into the Bill was the ban on electronic transmission of election results by INEC.

    He lamented that following the publication of his phone number and that of the Speaker, Femi Gbajabimila on social media, he received over 900 short messages (SMS) on his phone in one day.

    The Senate President insisted that those who have accused the Senate of inserting clauses into the Bill either spoke out of ignorance or were simply mischievous and rabble-rousers.

    Lawan said: “There are various accusations, insinuations that the leadership of the Senate or leadership of the National Assembly has tempered with the report of the committee on INEC of both chambers.

    “Some of those accusing the leadership of the National Assembly are misinformed and innocent. Some are simply mischievous and rabble-rousers.

    “This is the first time this report is laid here and this is the report of the committee. This is the decision of the committee on INEC and therefore whatever will be discussed or considered about the bill, will be on the basis of what has been presented to the Senate here.

    “If anybody feels very strongly about anything, lobby the distinguished senators to canvass for your positions, rather than blackmail our leadership.

    “Because my phone numbers and that of the Speaker were published and in one day, I received over 900 text messages saying we have manipulated this. We didn’t.

    “We will do what is right. We have our procedures. And lobbying is part of democracy.”

    The report of the Senate Committee on INEC on the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill is expected to be considered tomorrow (Thursday) by the Senate.

  • Electoral amendment bill to be laid July 13 – Reps Spokesman

    Electoral amendment bill to be laid July 13 – Reps Spokesman

    Mr Benjamin Kalu, the Spokesman for the House of Representatives, has said that the electoral amendment bill would be laid on July 13 before the House goes on recess.

    He said this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja, saying the report would be laid before the National Assembly proceed on recess.

    Kalu’s clarification was coming against the backdrop of speculations that the electoral amendment bill had been tinkered with by members of the committee.

    According to him, people are judging and speaking too soon on electoral bill, not knowing the National Assembly does not operate on the pages of newspapers.

    He stated that a bill must go through the whole “nine yard”, before it would be considered, stressing that it would be unfair if the House was judged, based on mere speculation.

    Kalu agreed that it was the right of every Nigerian to ask questions and expressed their opinion, but added that they must ask such questions, based on knowledge and required facts.

    He said that until the report goes through the Committee of a Whole, it would not become an official document.

    He added that the news of tinkering with the electoral bill remained in the realms of speculation and a hasty conclusion.

    The House of Reps Spokesman said that if any alteration found its way into the electoral bill, “we can then make the requisite noise.”

    He stated that for now, the House would not address issue on what was not before it, adding that as at now, the report had not yet been brought the House.

    On the issue of PIB, Kalu said he had encouraged most of its members to explain the details of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to their constituents.

    He said that the interface as well as the engagement had revealed that the agitation among Nigerians had been doused and are beginning to soften perception of some people in certain quarters.

    He stated that there was nothing self- serving in the laws the National Assembly made for Nigerians, and that it would always do things that reflected their will.

  • Electronic voting: We did not alter Electoral Bill – Gbajabiamila

    Electronic voting: We did not alter Electoral Bill – Gbajabiamila

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has said the National Assembly (NASS) did not alter the report on the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill 2020.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Gbajabiamila stated this on Tuesday while reacting to claims that the leadership of NASS altered the report on the Electoral Bill that is still awaiting consideration by the Legislature.

    The speaker dismissed the claims, saying that it existed only 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.

    Recall that there had been claims that the leadership of NASS 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 stated, “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).”

    Recall that both the Senate and the House had announced last week that the bill would be passed before July 14.

  • JUST IN: Atiku signs peace pact, tells Buhari to sign electoral bill

    JUST IN: Atiku signs peace pact, tells Buhari to sign electoral bill

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday appeared before the National Peace Committee convened by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Fr. Mathew Hassan Kukah, where he signed the peace accord for the 2019 general elections.

    Speaking shortly after signing the peace deal, Atiku commended President Muhammadu Buhari for accepting to sign the accord, but also advised him to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2018.

    “I commend the President for accepting to sign the peace agreement. But let me also advise him to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill”, Atiku said at the event witnessed by many PDP stakeholders and supporters.

    Those at the event included, the PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; former presidential aspirant and former Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Saminu Turaki (SAN).

    Recall that about 30 political parties protested against their exclusion from speaking during the NPC convened by Abubakar.

    According to them, granting only President Muhammadu Buhari the opportunity to speak during the signing of peace accord in Abuja was the height of injustice.

    The parties also protested the recognition of the national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole at the event, saying the special treatment accorded them was discriminatory.

    The leader of the protesting political parties and chairman of Change Nigeria Party, Usman Ikeleji, said the committee demonstrated what he called “partiality” when it failed to also grant the chairman of Inter-party Advisory Council, Peter Ameh, the opportunity to give a speech at the event.

    “Why was only the presidential candidate of the APC (Buhari) allowed to speak at this occasion? Is Buhari the only presidential candidate here? Nigeria belongs to all of us.

    “Why should Oshiomhole be singled out at the event when we have equal status as chairmen of political parties? We came here and can’t be allowed to speak? Who owns Nigeria? It is our county. You can’t just bring us here and ask us to sign a document we don’t even know the content. These men are deceiving us.

    “Nobody was allowed to talk not even the Chairman of Inter-party Advisory Council. We are talking about peace here and they won’t allow us to speak? Are we children?”

    But in his response, Abubakar begged the aggrieved politicians for calm just as he accepted responsibility for the oversight.

    “Please, please, I take responsibility for all that you pointed out here, I apologise”, he pleaded.

    After the apology from General Abdulsalami, Ikeleji looked at his colleagues and said, “This is a man who brought democracy to this country but he is apologising to all of us here. There is nothing we can do again.”

  • Buhari writes Senate, explains why he refused assent to Electoral Bill

    Buhari writes Senate, explains why he refused assent to Electoral Bill

    President Muhammadu Buhari has written the Senate, explaining why he refused to assent to the Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 2018 recently passed by the National Assembly.

    President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, read the President’s letter at the Tuesday Plenary.

    President Buhari’s letter to the senators reads: “Pursuant to Section 58 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I hereby convey to the Senate, my decision on 6th December 2018 to decline Presidential Assent to the Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 2018 recently passed by the National Assembly.

    “I am declining assent to the Bill principally because I am concerned that passing a new electoral bill this far into the electoral process for the 2019 general elections, which commenced under the 2015 Electoral Act, could create some uncertainty about the applicable legislation to govern the process.

    “Any real or apparent change to the rules this close to the election may provide an opportunity for disruption and confusion in respect of which law governs the electoral process.

    “This leads me to believe that it is in the best interest of the country and our democracy for the National Assembly to specifically state in the Bill that the Electoral Act will come into effect and be applicable to elections commencing after the 2019 General Elections.”

    Continuing, Buhari explains, “It is also important for the following drafting amendments to be made to the Bill:

    ”A. Section 5 of the Bill, amending section 18 of the Principal Act should indicate the subsection to which the substitution of the figure ’30” for the figure “60” is to be effected.”

    “B. Section 11 of the Bill, amending Section 36 should indicate the subsection in which the provision is to be introduced.

    “C. Section 24 of the Bill which amends Section 85(1) should be redrafted in full as the introduction of the “electing” to the sentence may be interpreted to mean that the political parties may give 21 days’ notice of the .. intention to merge, as opposed to the 90 days provided in Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act which provides the provision for merger of political parties.”

    “D. The definition of the term “Ward Collection Officer” should be revised to reflect a more descriptive definition than the capitalized and undefined term “Registration Area Collation Officer.”

    The President concluded his letter with greeting to the lawmakers: “Please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

    After Saraki finished reading the President’s letter, Senate Leader moved that all items on the Order Paper be stood down to another legislative day.

    Minority Leader seconded the motion and the Plenary adjourned to Wednesday, 12th December, 2018.

  • Electoral Bill: Senator Adeola kicks against overriding Buhari’s veto

    The chairman of Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Lagos West), has kicked against those urging the National Assembly to override the President’s veto on the Electoral (Amendment)Bill 2018, saying those making the calls do not have the national interest of Nigeria and the safety and sanctity of the 2019 election at heart.

    Recall that the President had said in a letter sent to the National Assembly that signing the bill into law could “create uncertainty and confusion during the forthcoming elections.”

    President Buhari said an amendment to the law close to the election period may provide an opportunity for disruption and confusion in respect of which law governs the electoral process.

    Reacting to the call from some opposition elements for the National Assembly to override the President’s veto on the electoral bill in a statement, the Lagos West lawmaker said he will not support any such move on the floor of the Senate as it is counterproductive at this late hour to the crucial 2019 General Election beginning from February next year.

    Senator Adeola stressed that if the previous Electoral Act that is being amended can produce the democratic landmark of an opposition party winning a free and fair election from a ruling party in power for 16 years in 2015 under the then ruling party, then it can be relied on even now to deliver a free and fair election.

    His words: “As a senator and a Nigerian, I cannot be part of any move to override the president veto on the electoral bill. The president clearly stated his reasons for the veto and I think they are cogent enough to be accepted by all in the National interest. And good enough the President is not totally foreclosing the need to amend the Act as he clearly stated that such process can take place after the 2019 Elections in the 9th National Assembly” he stated.

    The Lagos West lawmaker warned that any move to champion the override of the Presidential veto would amount to wasting precious legislative time and overheating the polity in place of other important legislative agenda adding that such an exercise will be in futility as the Parliament will not have the required constitutional two third to override the president.

    “At this point, I will stand with all those desirous of peaceful and transparent election as promised by President Mohammadu Buhari.

    With the assurances by INEC that it is ready to conduct a free and fair election with or without the amendment of the electoral law only those with ulterior motives will want to override the president less than three months to the General Elections” he stated.