President Muhammadu Buhari’s bill to modify the Electoral Act of 2022 was rejected by the Senate on Wednesday.
Senators overwhelmingly rejected the bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to modify the Electoral Act 2022 and for connected matters, 2022,” essentially halting its second reading.
Despite a court order prohibiting the Senate from moving on the bill, it received first reading on Tuesday.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan objected to the Court’s decision, claiming that the judiciary cannot prevent the Legislature from carrying out its constitutional duties under any circumstances.
Senator Adamu Aliero had urged the Senate President to abandon intended action on the Bill before the Senate began considering it on Wednesday, citing rule 52(5) of the Senate Standing Rules.
Lawan, on the other hand, was adamant.
He restated his opinion that only senators can vote against the bill, not the judiciary, which could use an order to prevent the chamber from carrying out its constitutional obligations.
Senators, on the other hand, voted decisively to prevent the bill from being read a second time.
Fatimah Oyesanmi
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