Senators Almost Exchange Blows

“This serious militarization poses serious threats to our democracy and the inconsistent application of electoral laws by INEC to national elections  has serious implications which need to be looked into.”

It was an informal session at the Senate plenary on Wednesday during discussions on allegations of the use of a “very large military force” during the 2019 elections.

Dino Melaye, the senator who represented Kogi West in the National Assembly, raised a motion alleging the militarization of elections, as well as “the inconsistent application of electoral laws by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”.

Seven other law maker - the senators Mao Ohabunwa (Abia North), Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East), Ahmed Ogembe (Kogi Central), Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi Central), Matthew Uroghide (South Edo), Clifford Ordia (Edo Central) Biodun Olujimi (South Ekiti) - supported the offer.

According to the motion, the senators expressed concern that “serious militarization of the democratic election process and the inconsistent application of electoral laws by INEC in national election matters are serious threats to our democracy, and there are serious implications of this and it must be put in check ".

Tempers departed during the debate as Senators shouted, based on their party loyalties, on each other and almost coming to exchange blows, but for intervention Senate President Bukola Saraki.

“Those who contribute must restrict themselves to the prayers in the offer,” he said.

After much discussion of the issue, the Senate decided to “criticize the immense use of military forces in the nation's national election process; urge INEC to ensure that all electoral law is applied without delay to a candidate or party at each election; direct the Senate Committee on INEC to investigate the inconsistent application of electoral laws by INEC in the 2019 elections ".

They also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “agree with the recent Amendment of the Electoral Act to ensure a level playing field and to adopt uniform standards in national elections for strong and peaceful democracy in Nigeria”.