2026 Electoral Act Bill Stalls Senate Proceedings As Lawmakers Enter Closed Session
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Proceedings in the Senate of Nigeria were momentarily stalled on Tuesday as lawmakers began clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, following a motion to rescind the earlier amendment on the Electoral Act Bill 2026 Nigeria.
According to reports, the motion to rescind the bill was formally seconded, paving the way for the Red Chamber to dissolve into the Committee of the Whole for detailed reconsideration and reenactment of the proposed legislation surrounding the 2026 Electoral Act Bill.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the session and reeled out the clauses one after the other for deliberation. However, the process was stalled at Clause 60 when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe raised a point of order, drawing immediate attention on the floor.
Following the intervention, murmurs spread across the chamber as senators spoke in small groups and approached the Senate President’s desk for consultations. The session was soon moved into a closed session, further delaying progress on the 2026 Electoral Act Bill.
Before rescinding the bill, the Red Chamber raised concerns over the timing of the 2027 general elections and technical inconsistencies in the legislation. Rising under Order 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved the motion to reverse the earlier passage of the bill and return it to the Committee of the Whole for fresh deliberations.
According to Bamidele, the decision followed the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission of a timetable fixing the 2027 general elections for February 2027, after consultations with the leadership of the National Assembly.
He explained that stakeholders had expressed concerns that the proposed date conflicts with provisions of the amended law, especially the requirement that elections be scheduled not later than 360 days before the expiration of tenure.
He added that a critical review of the passed bill showed that the 360-day notice requirement in Clause 28 could push the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections into the Ramadan period.
As deliberations continue, Nigerians are closely watching developments around the 2026 Electoral Act Bill, given its potential impact on the country’s next general elections.
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