By Andy Asemota
The president of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has enjoined anyone who feels strongly about the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021 to stop blackmailing the leadership of the National Assembly but lobby lawmakers.

Lawan gave this warning on Wednesday while receiving the report of the Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill from the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Kabir Ibrahim Gaya (Kano, APC).

Lawn, who doubles as the Chairman of the National Assembly said:

“There are accusations and insinuations that the leadership of the Senate and the National Assembly has tampered with the report of the Committee on INEC in both chambers. Some of those accusing the leadership of the National Assembly are misinformed.

This is the first time this report is laid here and this is the report and decisions of the Committee on INEC.

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“Therefore, whatever may be considered about the Electoral Act Amendment Bill will be on the basis of what has been presented to the Senate here. If anyone feels strongly about what has been presented or anything, lobby distinguished senators to canvass for your positions rather than blackmail our leadership because my telephone line and that of Hon. Speakers of the House of Representatives was published and in one day I received over 900 SMS saying we have manipulated this. We will do what is right; we have our procedures and lobbying is part of democracy.”

Sen. Gaya’s motion to lay the Senate Committee report on INEC on the Bill on the floor of the Red Chamber was seconded by Sen. Sam Egwu, (Ebonyi North, PDP). The report, which is yet to be considered by the senators, has been referred to the Secretariat of the Senate by the President of the Senate.