Stella Oduah: Why I was absent during voting on e-transmission of election results

July 16, 2021. 15:54
by Dyepkazah Shibayan


Stella Oduah, senator representing Anambra north, says she abstained from voting on the electronic transmission of election results because she didn’t want to reject the work she was part of.


Oduah, a member of the committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was among 27 senators who were absent when voting was held.

The provision for electronic transmission of electronic results is contained in section 50(3) of the electoral act amendment bill which was passed on Thursday.

The upper legislative chamber retained an amendment by Sabi Abdullahi, senate deputy whip, who proposed that the Nigeria Communication Communication (NCC) must certify that national coverage is adequate and secure, while the national assembly must approve before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can transmit election results electronically.

Albert Bassey, senator representing Akwa Ibom north-east, had kicked against the motion and said the initial proposal made by the committee should be retained.

The recommendation of the committee reads: “The commission may transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable.”

To adopt Abdullahi’s proposal, the senators had a 52-28 vote using the “division” method which is provided for in order 73 of the senate rule book.

In a terse statement on Friday, Oduah said she abstained from the voting by walking out of the red chamber because it would be “unjust” if she rejects her committee’s work.

“We took time to arrive at that decision at the committee meeting and coming to plenary to reject it will be unjust, that was why I walked out,” the senator said.

“In as much as number is a very significant decider in parliament, we should also take decisions having future projection and nation development in mind.”

McOluOmo:
My FB account is under locked, please help a brother

Dagger111:
No, it is nt an excuse. This is summary of what the govt is:


SOCIALISM: You have two cows, and you give one to your neighbor.

COMMUNISM: You have two cows, the government takes both and gives you milk.

FASCISM: You have two cows, the government takes both and sells you milk.

NAZISM: You have two cows, the government takes them and kills you.

CAPITALISM: You have two cows, you sell one and buy a male. You multiply your cows and there is economic growth. You sell them, you retire and you live on your profits.

MODERN CAPITALISM: You have two cows, you sell one and buy a male. You multiply your cows and you buy those of your neighbors. The latter become your shepherds, you pay them in monkey currencies and they die poor.

AMERICAN SOCIETY: You have two cows, you sell one and you have to make the other one to produce milk like 4 cows. By dint of producing beyond her capacity, she dies. You take a consultant to understand this death.

FRENCH SOCIETY: You have two cows, you go on strike because you want a third.

GERMAN SOCIETY: You have two cows, you modify them so that they live 100 years, eat once a month and treat themselves.

CHINESE SOCIETY: You have two cows, you sell milk to your compatriots and you produce plastic milk to export to the rest of the world.

BLACK/ AFRICAN SOCIETY: You have two cows, you eat them all the same day and you dream that donors or the international community give you others. You turn to God and hope for miracle cattle. You fast 40 days and 40 nights without eating or drinking so that the cows will fall from heaven. At the end, you die in extreme poverty.


Useless lawmakers.