Despite protestations from Nigerian voters, the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, howbeit after a heated debate
The session turned rowdy when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC-Abia South) demanded a division over Clause 60. Senate President Godswill Akpabio said he believed the demand had been withdrawn, but opposition senators objected.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin cited Order 52(6), arguing it was out of order to revisit a ruling already made by the Senate President. His submission sparked uproar, with Senator Sunday Karimi briefly clashing with Abaribe.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele reminded lawmakers that he had sponsored the motion for rescission, saying decisions previously taken were no longer valid. Akpabio suggested Abaribe’s demand was an attempt to publicly show his stance.
Abaribe rose under Order 72(1), calling for a division on Clause 60(3). He opposed the proviso allowing manual transmission of results if electronic transmission fails.
Akpabio directed senators supporting the caveat to stand, then asked those opposed to rise. Fifteen senators opposed the proviso, while 55 supported it.
Clause-By-Clause Consideration
Earlier, the Senate began clause-by-clause consideration of the bill after a motion to rescind the earlier amendment was seconded. Akpabio read out clauses for deliberation until Abaribe raised a point of order at Clause 60, stalling proceedings.
Lawmakers consulted in small groups before the chamber moved into a closed-door session.
Before rescinding the Electoral Act, senators raised concerns about the 2027 general elections timetable. Bamidele explained that INEC had fixed the elections for February 2027, but Clause 28 requires scheduling not later than 360 days before tenure expiration.
He said the requirement could place elections during Ramadan, affecting turnout, logistics, and inclusiveness.
The motion also identified discrepancies in several clauses, including Clauses 6, 9, 10, 22, 23, 28, 29, 32, 42, 47, 51, 60, 62, 64, 65, 73, 77, 86, 87, 89, 93, and 143. These issues involved cross-referencing, numbering, and internal consistency.
House of Representatives Session
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives also had a rowdy session over a motion to rescind its passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
The House had earlier approved compulsory real-time transmission of results to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV).
When Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the rescission motion to a voice vote, the “nays” were louder, but he ruled in favor of the “ayes.” Protests followed, forcing an executive session.
The Senate version rejected compulsory real-time transmission, instead approving electronic transmission with manual collation as backup.
Both chambers have set up a joint conference committee to harmonize the bills.
Opposition parties are pressing for adoption of the House version, which includes the “real-time” clause.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment 💬, Share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
