Author: Gist Correspondent

The Senate on Tuesday again failed to conclude deliberations on the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, after spending more than four hours in a closed-door session considering a report by a seven-member ad hoc committee.

The upper chamber had earlier commenced debate on the consolidated report of the committee, which was set up to collate and harmonise lawmakers’ submissions on the proposed amendment of the Electoral Act. Proceedings were later suspended as senators moved into an executive session to review the committee’s findings.

However, when plenary resumed, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, did not disclose the outcome of the deliberations and subsequently adjourned the sitting to the next legislative day, leaving the fate of the bill unresolved.

The ad hoc committee was constituted last week following extended deliberations on the bill during a closed session of the Senate. It was mandated to distil lawmakers’ views and present a unified report to guide further consideration of the proposed legislation.

The committee is chaired by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Niyi Adegbomore. Other members include Senators Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye and Titus Zam.

The Senate had earlier received documents on the bill from the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong, which formed the basis of the latest closed-door deliberations.

The private session was convened to enable senators to carefully scrutinise the proposed amendments and supporting materials before resuming open debate on the bill.

Consideration of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill had earlier been deferred to allow lawmakers adequate time to study its provisions, as discussions on the legislation continue in the upper chamber.