Senate Rejects Fresh Calls To Amend Electoral Act 2026

Senate Rejects Fresh Calls To Amend Electoral Act 2026
Opposition urged to follow due legislative process
Lawmakers warn against heating up the polity

The Nigerian Senate has dismissed renewed demands by opposition leaders for another amendment to the Electoral Act 2026, insisting that any concerns must follow legislative procedures within the National Assembly.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the development followed a press conference in Abuja on Thursday by leaders of the African Democratic Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, who urged lawmakers to urgently review the newly signed law. They described some provisions as unfair and potentially skewed ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Electoral Act 2026 was passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on February 18. The new legislation restricts political parties to direct primaries and consensus in selecting candidates. Under the 2022 Act, parties could choose between direct primaries, indirect primaries through delegates, or consensus.

The law also shortens campaign periods and timelines for party primaries. Funding for the Independent National Electoral Commission will now be released six months before elections, instead of 12 months as provided in the previous law.

Reacting, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu advised opposition leaders to channel their complaints through their representatives in the National Assembly rather than making public demands.

“Electoral Act again? Do you abort a pregnancy after the naming ceremony? But no problem. If they (opposition leaders) have any grey areas, they can just make their personal proposals to their legislators and they will bring them.

“Once they bring it to the National Assembly, we will look at it,” he said.

Also speaking, Orji Uzor Kalu maintained that the power to amend the law rests solely with the legislature. He cautioned political actors against raising tension in the country.

“The opposition should stop heating up the polity. The route they are taking is not the right one. They should leave this route because it can only lead to chaos.

Senate Rejects Fresh Calls To Amend Electoral Act 2026 Opposition urged to follow due legislative process — Senate Rejects Fresh Calls To Amend Electoral Act 2026
Opposition urged to follow due legislative process

“If they are not comfortable with the current administration, they should change it by contesting against Mr President in 2027 and see if they can defeat him. In the meantime, they should stop heating up the polity,” he added.