How many candidates are vying for the position of speaker?
Some weeks ago, there were 11 lawmakers in the race: Idris Wase, Ado Doguwa, Muktar Betara, Yusuf Gagdi, Sada Soli, Miriam Onuoha, Ben Kalu, Tajudeen Abbas, Abdulreheem Olawuyi, Abubakar Makki, Aminu Jaji.
Betara, Kalu, Olawuyi, Makki, Gagdi, and Doguwa have withdrawn from the competition, leaving only five candidates.
Who administers the election?
In the past, the Clerk has overseen elections for both houses of the National Assembly. However, legislators have amended the House's Standing Order to permit the deputy registrar to preside.
Before, the members of the lower chamber were required to wait until the election of the Senate's presiding officers was complete before holding their own election. Now, the election would occur simultaneously.
Open ballot
In this year's election, all members will vote openly for their preferred candidate, a change from previous years.
Not a confidential vote. There will be an open balloting system. The new amendment to Order Two states, "Each voter must clearly and publicly identify his preferred candidate."
Many are concerned that an open ballot could intimidate legislators into voting a certain manner, which has sparked considerable interest.
"In Nigeria, we are accustomed to a closed-ballot system, so I believe the open ballot system is not a particularly good concept. Why is it necessary to alter this for the National Assembly? It fosters hostility toward members who vote in a particular direction. I would prefer open voting on issues, legislation, and motions, though I am uncertain. Hassan Olanrewaju, Programmes Officer at Youth Hub Africa, told Daily Post that people's feelings about the system can be emotive.
Henry Eni-Otu, an attorney, stated that even though the National Assembly has the authority to create its own rules under Section 54(3), it engenders animosity.
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"Section 54(3) of the Constitution, as amended, grants the legislature the authority to enact laws governing them. They have equal rights, as a result of the same, to establish rules that will regulate their proceedings and practices regarding the election of its principal officers, in this case the speaker and deputy speaker.
Regarding the open balloting system. First, the open ballot system would prevent individuals from freely expressing their beliefs without fear or favor. One of the challenges posed by an open ballot is the potential for post-election animosity. It may also engender a winner-take-all mentality. If they had chosen the closed ballot system, legislators would have had the freedom to choose.
"However, the open ballot encourages courage, as it takes courage to stand, even in the face of hostility or threat," he explained.
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A quorum of the House
With the amendment, the inauguration procedure will not begin until 240 members have been seated. In the past, it was one-third.
It should be recalled that 57 senators were present when Bukola Saraki was elected Senate president.
Changes to Section 54(1) have altered the quorum for the first joint session of the two legislatures. It implies that two-thirds of the legislators must be convened.
