Senate in rowdy session over electoral motion sponsored by Dino Melaye

Proceedings at the Nigeria Senate Wednesday was greeted with rowdiness over the motion, “militarization of electoral process”, which was sponsored by Senator Dino Melaye and co-sponsored by seven others.

Sponsors of the motion were all Senators of the Peoples Democratic Party, hence it set the stage for rancour even as the motion was opposed for debate to no avail last week as the Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki insisted that it must be presented as a full motion.

In his lead debate, Dino decried militarization of electoral process, and inconsistent application of electoral laws in the just concluded general election.

Reacting, the Senate leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC) stressed that the issue of election shouldn’t have been brought to the Senate, cautioning that lawmakers should not be partisan and sentimental.

Senator Mao Ohabunwa in a counter contribution commended the lower chamber to have discussed the matter without bickers, saying, Senators are elder statesmen who should be patriotic rather than partisan.

He reminded those opposed to debating the motion to be wary of generational curse, if they refused to do the right thing.

Senate Minority, leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi in her contributions insisted that the election was massively rigged, hence there was nothing wrong debating it.

Her contributions was amid pandemonium from lawmakers of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki having calmed the noise, raised a voice vote to sustain prayers of the motion.

In his ruling, Senate condemned militarization of elections, while the Independent National Electoral Commission was directed to investigate all perceived inconsistencies.