Reps’ walkout signal of democracy in motion — Deputy spokesperson

The Deputy spokesperson of the Home of Representatives, Mr Philip Agbese, has described Tuesday’s walkout by some opposition lawmakers throughout deliberations on the Electoral Modification Invoice as a mirrored image of democracy in motion and customary parliamentary observe internationally.

Members of the minority caucus had staged a walkout throughout plenary to protest the Home’s place on Clauses 60 (3) and 84 of the Electoral Modification Invoice 2026.

The protest adopted the rejection of an modification moved by Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker, Bamidele Salam. Salam had proposed that the Home retain the supply mandating obligatory digital transmission of election outcomes to the IReV portal straight from polling items, whereas eradicating the proviso that enables handbook transmission within the occasion of technological failure.

The modification was defeated after a voice vote, prompting opposition lawmakers to depart the chamber in protest.

Talking in an interview in Abuja on Thursday, Agbese maintained that such actions should not uncommon in parliamentary programs.

“Walkouts are a part of customary parliamentary observe globally. They’re utilized by lawmakers to precise agency opposition to selections they don’t align with,” he stated.

He cautioned in opposition to decoding the protest as a breakdown of legislative order, stressing that dissent stays an integral a part of democratic engagement.

The Deputy spokesperson confused that the Home stays united in its dedication to Nigeria’s democracy and the pursuits of residents, regardless of variations of opinion amongst members.

“What’s vital is that points are ventilated brazenly and resolved by way of legislative procedures. Nigerians ought to be assured that the Home won’t fail them,” he stated.

On the choice reached concerning Part 60 (3), Agbese clarified that the Home had accredited obligatory digital transmission of Type EC8A election outcomes to the IReV portal to make sure that legitimate votes are absolutely and precisely captured.

He famous, nonetheless, that lawmakers additionally launched safeguards to handle conditions the place digital transmission is probably not possible, permitting for handbook transmission underneath such circumstances.

Agbese stated the choice was made in the perfect curiosity of the nation and to not jeopardise the integrity of the electoral course of as being misconstrued in some quarters.

He added that the Home management is consulting extensively with stakeholders to make sure that contentious points, significantly these regarding electoral reforms, are addressed transparently and in accordance with constitutional provisions.

Reaffirming the chamber’s focus, the lawmaker reiterated that the Home of Representatives stays dedicated to its constitutional tasks of lawmaking, illustration and oversight.

He urged Nigerians to see current developments within the chamber as a part of wholesome democratic engagement fairly than a disaster, noting that disagreements are inevitable in a legislature that displays various political, regional and ideological pursuits.