Proceedings at the House of Representatives turned rowdy on Tuesday over the role of INEC in monitoring party conventions
The House of Representatives witnessed mild drama on Tuesday over interpretation of section 82(1) of the the Electoral Act.
This was after Rep. Peter Uzokwe (YPP Anambra), attempted to raise a point of order during plenary, sparking a brief exchange among lawmakers over the interpretation of the Act
Rising under Order 8 on personal explanation, Rep. Uzokwe argued that there was a widespread misconception that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be physically present at political party conventions and congresses.
According to him, such a requirement is not expressly contained in the Electoral Act.
“When we go out, the impression people give is that INEC must be present in conventions and congresses of parties,” Rep. Uzokwe said, adding that he intended to guide members to Section 82(1) of the Act to clarify the matter.
However, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas immediately halted the lawmaker, reminding the House that the Electoral Act was already under review.
“We are in the process of amending the Electoral Act, and next week is dedicated to a clause-by-clause consideration of all relevant provisions and proposed amendments,” Abbas said. “In light of what is before us, I don’t think we need to debate this issue now. You should wait and see whether the matters you are raising are already addressed in the proposed amendments.”
Supporting the Speaker, Rep. Amadu Kabiru argued that Uzokwe’s intervention was procedurally faulty, insisting that the matter could not be brought under personal explanation.
He said: “Mr. Speaker, the matter that was brought by my friend wasn’t a personal matter. It’s a formal matter. A matter that is supposed to come under motion.,”
But Rep. Okey-Joey Onuakalusi disagreed, rising to defend Rep. Uzokwe and stressing that the matter involved constitutional principles, which the House was obligated to entertain.
“Mr. Speaker, this Standing Order is a statute guided by the Constitution,” Rep. Onuakalusi argued. “We are the makers, protectors, and amenders of the law. When issues of law are raised, the House has a duty to hear them. The point raised by the honourable member borders on constitutional and statutory interpretation.”
Despite his passionate defense, the speaker maintained his stance, emphasizing the need to adhere to legislative procedure and to wait for the ongoing amendment process to unfold.
