Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe walked out of plenary on Wednesday after his motion to immortalise Humphrey Nwosu, former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), was rejected by the Senate.
Abaribe, who represents Abia South, had led 15 senators in sponsoring a motion urging the federal government to honour Nwosu for his role in overseeing the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s fairest polls.
Citing Order 42, Abaribe highlighted Nwosu’s contribution to Nigeria’s democratic history. “The senate notes that the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu was a former National Electoral Commission (NEC) chairman from 1989 to 1993,” Abaribe said. “The senate further notes that Prof Humphrey Nwosu supervised the 1993 presidential election, aware that the courageous defence of the electoral process during the 1993 presidential election led to the famous June 12 slogan which ultimately confirmed Alhaji MKO Abiola as the winner.”
However, Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele objected to the motion, stating that copies had not been distributed to lawmakers, a requirement under senate rules. Abaribe attempted to push for consideration under “personal explanation,” arguing that he had the right to be heard. “Even if the senate leader says that it doesn’t follow, by the fact that a senator wants to make a personal explanation, you must give that senator a chance to make that personal explanation, we are not under a dictatorship,” he said.
Bamidele maintained that explanations must adhere to senate procedures unless an exception was made. He reminded Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin that the chamber had moved on to other legislative business. “As a matter of fact, by now, we are supposed to be on a second business of the day. So, time for matters of urgent public importance, as well as time for personal explanation, has already passed,” Bamidele said. “Personal explanation cannot be raised at any time. The only time personal explanation can be raised at any time is if we, by our collective consensus, come under Order 1 (b) to regulate our procedure.”
Jibrin upheld Bamidele’s position and ruled that the senate should proceed with its agenda, advising Abaribe to reintroduce the motion at the next legislative session. In protest, Abaribe walked out of plenary, expressing his frustration over the rejection of his motion.
