- Senate Appoints Oshiomhole, Tambuwal, Others to Review Electoral Act Amendments
- Oshiomhole, Tambuwal named members of seven man panel
- Electoral reforms aimed at credible 2027 elections
The Senate has constituted a seven member ad hoc committee to harmonise lawmakers’ inputs on the proposed amendment of the Electoral Act, as efforts intensify to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the decision followed a three hour closed door executive session held on Thursday, during which senators scrutinised the Electoral Act Repeal and Enactment Bill currently before the National Assembly.
Announcing the outcome of the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the committee was mandated to synthesise senators’ views and resolve outstanding concerns on the bill.
“The committee is mandated to contribute, galvanise and distil the opinions of senators on the bill,” Akpabio said.
He announced Senator Niyi Adegbonmire, chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, as chairman of the panel.
Other members of the committee are Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye and Titus Zam.
Akpabio said the committee has a maximum of three days to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Senate by Tuesday.
The Senate had on Wednesday stepped down consideration of the Electoral Act amendment report to allow for deeper examination of the bill during an executive session.
The move followed deliberations on the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, presented in the absence of its chairman, Simon Lalong. Lawmakers agreed to suspend debate, citing the far reaching implications of the proposed reforms.
Although the House of Representatives has passed the bill, Akpabio stressed the need for thorough scrutiny before Senate concurrence.
“This is a very important bill, especially as it is election time. We must take our time to ensure justice is done to all, so that we do not end up at the tribunal,” he said.
The Senate Committee on Electoral Matters said the amendments would strengthen electoral integrity, enhance transparency and boost public confidence.
Earlier, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the bill introduces stiffer penalties for electoral offences, electronic transmission of results and broader voter inclusion, aimed at delivering credible elections from 2027.
