The Senate on Tuesday passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, following tense deliberations and a contentious debate over Clause 60.
A heated session was sparked when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC/Abia South) demanded a division on Clause 60 when the upper chamber reconvened.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said he thought the demand had already been rescinded, but many opposition senators objected right away, according to Channels TV.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin contended that it would be improper to review any clause that the Senate President has already decided upon, citing Order 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders.
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The submission sparked another uproar in the chamber, during which Senator Sunday Karimi briefly confronted Abaribe.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele emphasised that earlier Senate rulings were no longer enforceable and reminded lawmakers that he had sponsored the motion for rescission.
He insisted that the motion was in line with Senator Abaribe’s desire.
According to Akpabio, Abaribe made the call for separation in order to openly express his position to Nigerians.
Read Also: 2026 Electoral Act Bill: Motion on election timetable stalls proceedings in Senate
Abaribe stood in protest and was encouraged to formally move his motion after the Senate President upheld the point of order.
He raised the issue of Clause 60(3), notably the clause that states that Form EC8A should not be the only basis in the event that electronic transmission of results fails, in accordance with Order 72(1).
Akpabio asked senators who were against the caveat to stand after instructing those who were in favour of it to do so during the division. The opposition consisted of fifteen senators. The proviso was approved by 55 senators and rejected by 15 when the votes were tabulated.
Following a move to revoke the previous modification, MPs began considering the measure clause by clause earlier in the session, temporarily halting operations.
Meanwhile, the Senate moved into the Committee of the Whole for a thorough review and re-enactment of the proposed legislation after the motion was formally seconded.
In a heated debate over Clause 60, the Senate finally passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 on Tuesday.
Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC/Abia South) demanded a division on Clause 60 when the upper chamber reconvened, which led to a boisterous session.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said he thought the demand had already been rescinded, but a number of opposition senators instantly objected, according to Channels TV.
Citing Senate Standing Order 52(6), Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin contended that it would be improper to review any clause that the Senate President has already decided on.
Senate Leader Bamidele moved to revoke the electoral act bill’s previous passage and send it back to the Committee of the Whole in accordance with Order 52(6). He clarified that the motion came after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that, following discussions with the leadership of the National Assembly, the general elections for 2027 would be held in February 2027.
Stakeholders expressed concern, according to Bamidele, that the suggested election date went against Clause 28 of the law, which mandates that elections be held at least 360 days before to the end of the tenure.
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He went on to say that holding elections during Ramadan may have an impact on stakeholder participation, voter turnout, logistics, and the process’s general legitimacy and inclusivity.
The motion also highlighted discrepancies in the electoral acts bill’s Long Title and multiple 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 reportedly affected cross-referencing, serial numbering, and internal consistency within the legislation.
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