The House of Representatives has rejected a bill seeking to remove the Independent National Electoral Commission from registering and regulating political parties in Nigeria.
The bill, which aimed to give this responsibility to a new office called the Registrar-General of Political Parties, was co-sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, and Rep. Francis Waive.
However, during the plenary on Tuesday, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu conducted a voice vote, and the lawmakers voted against the bill at second reading.
The House also rejected six other proposed constitutional amendments.
One of the rejected bills, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, wanted the positions of President and Vice President to rotate among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones—North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West.
Another bill, sponsored by Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, sought to create independent Offices of State Auditors-General for Local Governments and for the Federal Capital Territory Area Councils. The goal was to improve financial oversight and accountability at the local level.
Rep. Ihonvbere also sponsored a bill to increase the number of Federal High Court judges to at least 100 and another to give the Federal High Court power to handle admiralty cases, including matters related to the River Niger, River Benue, ports, and shipping.
He also pushed a bill to allow the National Judicial Council and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to set and review pay for judges and other judiciary staff.
Another bill by Rep. Francis Waive proposed creating a new local government called Ughelli East in Delta State.
While some lawmakers supported the bills, many disagreed. After the voice vote, the majority ruled against them.
Following the rejection, the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business appealed to the Speaker, asking that each bill be treated separately instead of in a group.
But Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Ali Jesse, raised a point of order. He cited House rules which say that any move to reverse a decision must come as a proper motion on notice.
The Speaker agreed and directed the Committee on Rules and Business to list the matter for the next legislative day.
