The Senate says it will discuss in details the recent judgment by a Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, nullifying the provisions of Section 84(12) of the newly amended Electoral Act 2022 passed by the National Assembly.
Justice Evelyn Anyadike, in a judgment, held that the Section of the Act was “unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever
Coming under order 42 of the Senate Standing Orders on Personal Explanation, Senator George Thompson Sekibo (PDP, Rivers East) during plenary, challenged the judgment of the court on Section 84(12).
Citing Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sekibo stated that the National Assembly is empowered by virtue of its provisions to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of Nigeria.
He added that Section 228 lists such functions to include making laws to ensure internal democracy within political parties.
He argued further that the provisions of Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution clearly defines who a public servant is, without including political appointees.
The Deputy Senate President, thereafter, put the question for a motion to be brought to the floor during plenary on Wednesday.
The voice vote received the overwhelming support of lawmakers for the motion to be considered.
Omo-Agege, explained that his decision for the motion to be considered on Wednesday, was to allow Senators absent during Tuesday’s plenary to make their contributions when the matter is taken up by the chamber.
Bashir Mayere
