Electoral Act Amendment: Senate not averse to criticisms, will resolve issue today — Spokesman

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, has said the Senate is not immune to public criticism, as protests continue over the handling of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

His comments follow protests at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, led by former presidential candidate Peter Obi, where demonstrators demanded that lawmakers explicitly include provisions for mandatory, real-time electronic transmission of election results in the amended Electoral Act.

Adaramodu noted that concerns surrounding the omission of the phrase “real-time” in the provision on electronic transmission of results would be addressed at an emergency plenary sitting scheduled for today.

Speaking to Vanguard, the senator said Nigerians have the constitutional right to peacefully express their grievances, stressing that such actions are an essential part of democratic practice.

“The Senate is not averse to Nigerians expressing their feelings. We are in a democracy, and people have the right to express themselves peacefully,” he said.

According to him, the Senate will reconvene today to consider and approve the votes and proceedings of last Wednesday’s plenary session, during which the controversial amendment was passed.

“Today, we will be holding an emergency sitting to approve the votes and proceedings of our last session. As a Senate, we are not opposed to Nigerians expressing their views in a peaceful manner.

“We are in a democracy, and we will do what we have been elected to do for the people of Nigeria,” Adaramodu added.