[LIVE UPDATES] Voting On Constitution Amendment Bills Commences In National Assembly

Voting on the Constitution Amendment bills has commenced at the National Assembly.

The two-day exercise is being done electronically.

Lawmakers are voting on 68 Constitution Amendment bills.

Some of the bills include a bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Financial Independence of State Houses of Assembly and State Judiciary; and for Related Matters.

Another bill listed is the bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to compel persons to obey or comply with Legislative Summons; and for Related Matters.

Meanwhile, Dolapo Osinbajo, the wife of the Vice President is also present at the plenary session.

The lawmakers had screamed “no” when a motion to admit Mrs Osinbajo into the chamber to witness proceedings was raised.

Subsequently, the matter was put to vote and the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, ruled to allow her into the chamber.

Last week, the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, was admitted into the chamber when the constitution amendment bills were laid.

Live Updates

14:16 pm: Enforcement of Legislative summons (Senate)

-Yes – 94; No – 0

14:07 pm: Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Financial Independence of State Houses of Assembly and State Judiciary; and for Related Matters.

(Senate) Yes – 83; No -1

14:04 pm: Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to allow Court or Tribunal Proceedings to be Conducted remotely, Virtually, Online or through any Media Platform or Technological Innovation; and for Related Matters.

– Yes – 276; No – 17

13:49 pm: Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide Pension for Presiding Officers of the National Assembly; and for Related Matters.

– Yes -103; No – 193 (Amendment fails)

13:38 pm: Bill for an Act to Alter the Provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide the Procedure for Overriding Executive Veto in Respect of Money Bill; and for Related Matters.

– Yes -288; No – 0

13:32 pm: Bill for an Act to Provide for the Procedure for passing a Constitution Alteration Bill where the President withhold Assent; and for Related Matters.

-Yes – 248; No – 10 (Amendment fails as 288 votes are required)

13:28 pm: Local govt administrative autonomy – Yes – 88, No – 4
Abstained – 3

13:26 pm: Local government financial autonomy – Yes – 92; No – 2

13:24 pm: Voting commences at the Senate

13:14 pm: Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to compel persons to obey or comply with Legislative Summons; and for Related Matters.

– Yes – 290 No – 0

13:12 pm: Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Financial Independence of State Houses of Assembly and State Judiciary; and for Related Matters.

– Yes – 286 – No – 1

13:12 pm: Senate President Ahmad Lawan appeals to the senate to make use of his personal display board and asks his colleagues to trust him in declaring the votes cast.

13:10 pm: Voting in the Senate gets on to a shaky start as the display board to show the number of votes passed is not working.

Only the Senate President’s display board was functioning.

13:07 pm: Bill to create a special account through which funds for local governments will be paid directly from the federation account

– Yes 257- No – 9

13:07 pm: Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to establish Local Government as a Tier of Government and Guarantee their Democratic Existence, Tenure; and for Related Matters.

– Yes 258 – No – 15

12:23 pm: Voting on the Constitution Amendment has commenced at the House of Representatives.