- Shettima Presides Over NEC Meeting
- Several governors attended the meeting at the Presidential Villa.
- Bamidele rejected Electoral Act amendments before the 2027 elections.
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday presided over a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, with governors and deputy governors from across the federation in attendance.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the meeting brought together key state executives to deliberate on economic and governance issues affecting the country.
Among the governors present were the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State and Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State.
Others at the meeting included Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State and Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State.
Also in attendance was Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, whose appearance at the National Economic Council meeting was considered notable due to his infrequent participation in previous sessions.
The meeting remained ongoing as governors and deputy governors engaged in discussions on issues of national economic importance.
Meanwhile, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has ruled out any amendment to the 2026 Electoral Act before the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview with ThisDay, the lawmaker said making changes to the electoral framework close to a major election could create uncertainty and further erode public confidence in the democratic process.
According to Bamidele, some lawmakers had advocated fresh amendments to the Electoral Act following certain court judgments, but he declined to support such proposals in his capacity as Senate Leader.
The Ekiti lawmaker maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is already facing significant pressure from political parties, civil society groups and other stakeholders as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
He argued that introducing fresh amendments at this stage could complicate the electoral process and place additional burdens on the electoral commission.
Bamidele stressed that any review of the 2026 Electoral Act should only be considered after the conclusion of the 2027 general elections, allowing sufficient time for consultation and implementation without disrupting the electoral timetable.
His position comes amid ongoing debates over electoral reforms and the future of Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the next general election cycle.
