- Senate Fails to Conclude Electoral Act Repeal and Re enactment Bill After Closed Door Session
- Ad hoc committee report considered without final decision
- Fate of electoral reform bill remains uncertain
The passage of the Electoral Act 2022 Repeal and Re enactment Bill 2026 remained inconclusive on Tuesday as the Senate failed to reach a final decision after spending more than four hours deliberating on the report of a seven member ad hoc committee behind closed doors.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the prolonged deliberation ended without a clear resolution, further delaying amendments widely regarded as critical to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of future elections.
The upper chamber had earlier commenced consideration of the consolidated report of the ad hoc committee, which was established to collate and harmonise submissions and views of senators on the bill.
After initial discussions during plenary, the Senate resolved to dissolve into a closed door executive session to examine the documents submitted by the committee in detail.
However, when lawmakers reconvened, Senate President Godswill Akpabio declined to disclose the outcome of the deliberations. He instead adjourned plenary to the next legislative day, effectively stalling progress on the bill and leaving its fate uncertain.
The ad hoc committee was constituted last week following over two hours of intense debate on the bill’s provisions during another closed session of the Senate. The panel was mandated to harmonise divergent positions of lawmakers and present a unified report to the chamber.
The committee is chaired by Senator Niyi Adegbomore, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. Other members include Senators Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye and Titus Zam.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Senate formally began consideration of the bill before resolving to meet behind closed doors to scrutinise proposed amendments and supporting documents submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong.
Sources familiar with the process said the documents contained detailed proposals and justifications aimed at refining Nigeria’s electoral laws.
The latest delay follows an earlier decision by the Senate to defer consideration of the bill to allow lawmakers more time for detailed review. With no clear outcome from Tuesday’s session, uncertainty continues to surround the future of the Electoral Act amendment.
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