Lawan: National assembly didn’t manipulate electoral bill

Senate President Ahmad Lawan says the leadership of the national assembly did not manipulate the electoral act amendment bill.

Lawan said this on Wednesday on the floor of the upper legislative chamber after the electoral act amendment bill was laid before the senate.

TheCable had reported how the national assembly blocked the transmission of election results through electronic means in clause 50(2) of the bill.

In clause 88 of the legislation, the lawmakers also tripled expenses for presidential, gubernatorial, senate and house of representatives elections by about 200 percent.

The reported action by the national assembly has drawn criticism from many Nigerians.

The senate president said those accusing the national assembly leadership of manipulating the bill are “misinformed”.

“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,” he said.

“Some of those accusing the leadership of the national assembly are misinformed. 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 add for your positions, rather than blackmail our leadership.

“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. Lobbying is part of democracy.”