Reps walkout part of standard parliamentary practice — Deputy spokesperson
House Deputy Spokesperson Defends Opposition Walkout as Part of Parliamentary Practice
Abuja—Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesperson for the House of Representatives, has characterized a recent walkout by opposition lawmakers during a session on the Electoral Amendment Bill as a standard parliamentary practice rather than a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
On Tuesday, members of the Minority Caucus staged a walkout in protest against the House’s position on Clause 60 (3) of the Electoral Amendment Bill 2026. The amendment, proposed by Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun), aimed to mandate the compulsory electronic transmission of election results to the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal from polling units. The proposal sought to eliminate a proviso that allowed for manual transmission in cases of network or communication failure. However, the amendment failed during a voice vote, prompting the opposition lawmakers to exit the chamber.
In an interview on Wednesday, Agbese stated that walkouts are common in legislative bodies worldwide and are typically used to signal disagreement on significant issues. He emphasized that such actions should not be regarded as disorderly conduct or a legislative breakdown, but as a legitimate expression of dissent that aligns with parliamentary rules and traditions.
“Walkouts are part of standard parliamentary practice globally. They are employed by lawmakers to register firm opposition to decisions they do not support,” Agbese noted.
He affirmed that, despite differing opinions among members, the House remains committed to upholding Nigeria’s democratic values and serving the interests of its citizens. Agbese described robust debates and protests within the legislative chamber as indicators of a vibrant democracy, rather than signs of dysfunction.
“The key is that issues are openly discussed and resolved through legislative procedures. Nigerians can be assured that the House will not fail them,” he stated.
Regarding the handling of Section 60 (3) of the bill, Agbese confirmed that the House has made electronic transmission of Form EC8A election results to the IReV mandatory, thus ensuring accurate representation of valid votes. He mentioned that the House also included provisions for manual transmission in unforeseen circumstances where electronic methods may not be feasible.
He stressed that the decision was made in the country’s best interest and should not be misunderstood as a compromise to the integrity of the electoral process. The House leadership is actively engaging stakeholders to transparently address contentious issues, especially those related to electoral reforms.
Agbese reinforced the House of Representatives’ commitment to its fundamental roles of lawmaking, representation, and oversight, assuring Nigerians that actions taken are intended to strengthen democratic institutions and uphold the will of the people. He urged the public to perceive recent developments within the chamber as aspects of democratic engagement, highlighting that disagreements are a natural part of a legislative body reflecting diverse political, regional, and ideological perspectives.
