The Senate has passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026, following the consideration and approval of its 155 clauses.
During clause-by-clause consideration, amendments were made to some provisions, while the majority were retained as proposed. A major amendment approved by the lawmakers was the reduction of the timeline for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish a notice of election from 360 days to 180 days.
The amendment followed a motion moved by Senator Tahir Monguno, who argued that the earlier 360-day requirement was no longer practical. According to him, retaining the longer timeline would make it difficult for INEC to comply with the law, noting that preparations for the next general election were already underway.
The passage of the bill comes amid mounting pressure on the Senate to conclude work on the Electoral Act amendment to provide a clear legal framework for INEC ahead of forthcoming elections.
On Tuesday, the Senate had adjourned plenary to Wednesday after a closed-door session that lasted more than four hours, without disclosing the outcome of its deliberations.
Items listed on the Senate Order Paper for the day included the consideration of the report of the Committee on Electoral Matters on the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026 (SB. 903), sponsored by the committee’s chairman, Senator Simon Bako Lalong.
However, upon returning to plenary after the closed session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio did not provide details of the discussions. He merely stated that lawmakers deliberated on issues concerning “the Senate in particular and the National Assembly in general.”
He subsequently called for a motion to adjourn the sitting to the next legislative day, asking lawmakers to confirm whether his summary reflected the outcome of the closed session. The chamber affirmed.
Thereafter, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion for the suspension of other items on the Order Paper and adjournment, which was seconded by the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro.
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