Follow Us on Google
By Seyi Babalola
Hon. Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, described Tuesday’s walkout by some opposition lawmakers during the deliberation of the electoral modification bill as a worldwide recognised legislative practice that poses no harm to Nigeria’s democratic process.
It should be recalled that members of the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives staged a walkout on Tuesday to protest the House’s position on Clause 60 (3) of the Electoral Amendment Bill 2026.
Rep Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun) proposed an amendment in which the House retained the requirement for mandatory electronic transmission of election results to the IRev portal from polling stations while removing the provision allowing for manual transmission in the event of a network or communication failure.
However, when the amendment was submitted to a voice vote, it failed, resulting in a legislative walkout.
Agbese stated in an interview in Abuja on Wednesday that walkouts are normal in legislatures around the world and are frequently used to express discontent on topics of national importance.
Other News
According to him, the action taken by some members, mostly of the opposition parties, during the plenary should not be misconstrued as disorder or legislative breakdown but rather as an expression of disagreement which he said is within the rules and traditions of parliamentary democracy.
“Walkouts are part of standard parliamentary practice globally. They are used by lawmakers to express firm opposition to decisions they do not align with,” he said.
The Deputy Spokesperson stressed that the House remains united in its commitment to Nigeria’s democracy and the interests of citizens, despite differences of opinion among members.
He stated that robust debates, disagreements and even protests within the chamber are signs of a vibrant legislature and should not be interpreted as an inability of the House to function.
“What is important is that issues are ventilated openly and resolved through legislative procedures. Nigerians should be assured that the House will not fail them,” he said.
