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The Digest:

Some members of the House of Representatives walked out of plenary on Tuesday in protest against the move to rescind the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment bill, with a lawmaker alleging financial inducement by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to compromise on the electronic transmission clause. Trouble began when Francis Waive moved a motion to reverse the December 23, 2025 decision. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas ruled the "ayes" had prevailed despite louder "nays," triggering protests. Lawmakers blocked Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu from proceedings before walking out. The protest centres on Clause 60(3) mandating compulsory electronic transmission of results. An unnamed lawmaker alleged APC offered financial inducements to secure votes for the reversal, deepening tensions as civil society groups demand adoption of the real-time transmission clause.

Key Points:
  • The bribery allegation, if proven, represents a serious assault on legislative independence and electoral integrity.
  • It deepens public distrust in the legislative process and ruling party's commitment to fair elections.
  • Pro-transparency lawmakers resist inducements, while APC faces accusations of manipulating outcomes.
  • This signals the high stakes of the electronic transmission battle ahead of 2027.
  • The timing, with harmonisation pending, raises questions about the legitimacy of any reversal.

The walkout and bribery allegations expose deep divisions in the House, with pro-transparency lawmakers resisting attempts to compromise on real-time transmission.

Sources: Daily Trust, House of Representatives

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