Senate delays Electoral Act Amendments, raising risk of flawed 2027 elections and threatening legislative credibility in Nigeria
The Nigerian Senate resumed plenary on Tuesday amid growing concern that delays in passing the 2025 Electoral Act Amendments could force the 2027 general elections to proceed under a flawed legal framework.
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The 10th Senate, convening after a ceremonial adjournment in honour of the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki, faces a narrowing window to conclude the reforms.
Although the House of Representatives passed the amendments at third reading in December 2025, the Senate has yet to finalise the bill, leaving key provisions unresolved.
Constitutional deadlines mean no amendment can take effect unless passed and assented to at least 360 days before an election.
With February 2026 approaching, failure to act could see Nigeria repeat electoral challenges from 2023 under the 2022 Act.
The amendments include proposals to electronically transmit results from polling units, introduce early voting for security personnel and election workers, enforce stricter oversight of party primaries, and require earlier submission of candidate lists.
Critics warn that without swift action, these reforms may lapse, undermining public confidence in the electoral system.
The Senate also faces concurrent challenges.
The House of Representatives Minority Caucus has raised concerns over alleged alterations to the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025.
A seven-member fact-finding committee, led by Hon. Afam Ogene, reported discrepancies between the version passed by the National Assembly and the gazetted version, suggesting possible executive interference.
House leadership, through spokesman Hon. Akintunde Rotimi, dismissed the caucus-led probe as unofficial and non-binding, emphasising that only the Speaker or a plenary-approved committee holds constitutional authority to investigate legislative matters.
A bipartisan ad hoc committee, established in December 2025, continues to review the tax law.
Beyond electoral reform, the Senate is expected to consider the 2026 Appropriation Bill of ₦58.47 trillion, scrutinise the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper for 2026–2028, and screen executive nominees for boards and agencies.
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Observers argue that the successful passage of the Electoral Act Amendments is pivotal, determining not only the credibility of the 2027 elections but also the legacy of the current Senate.
