Senate proceedings on the Electoral Act 2026 were stalled as lawmakers debated a motion to rescind amendments over election timetable concerns
Proceedings in the Nigerian Senate were temporarily stalled on Tuesday during the clause-by-clause review of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026.
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The motion to rescind the earlier amendment, formally seconded, led the Senate into a Committee of the Whole for detailed reconsideration.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the session, reading clauses sequentially.
Deliberations were interrupted at Clause 60 when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe raised a point of order, prompting a closed-door session.
The motion, moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, was aimed at reversing the earlier passage due to concerns over the timing of the 2027 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had scheduled elections for February 2027, raising potential conflicts with the bill’s 360-day notice requirement, which could have scheduled elections during Ramadan.
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Lawmakers noted that critical review of the bill highlighted technical inconsistencies that necessitated fresh deliberations to ensure compliance with election timelines and avoid conflicts with religious observances.
