- Reps to deliberate, pass authentic report in days
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday dismissed claims that the leadership of the National Assembly altered the original report on the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill 2020.
The speaker described the rumours as one that only existed in the “realm of speculation.”
Gbajabiamila noted that the authentic report on the bill will be preserved, stating that, Reps would pass it in the next few days.
Some media and social media reports had claimed that the National Assembly altered the report, specifically the provision on electronic voting, where it reversed the committee recommendation that election results should be transmitted electronically.
Addressing a point of privilege raised on the floor on Tuesday on the allegation, the speaker said it was mere speculation and urged Nigerians to discountenance it.
Gbajabiamila expressed surprise that anyone would accuse the leadership of altering the report of a bill still in the custody of the Committee on Electoral Matters.
He stated, “I really don’t want to speak on a report that has yet to be presented to the floor….Ordinarily, I will not comment on a matter that is not before us yet.
“I don’t believe there is any alteration to the committee’s report.
“Only the authentic report of the committee will be submitted for consideration. So, all that is being said remains in the realm of speculation.
“I have asked the chairman of the committee and she told me that there has been nothing like that (alteration).”
Recall that both the Senate and the House had announced last week that the bill would be passed before July 14.
