Proceedings in the Senate were temporarily stalled on Tuesday during clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, following a motion to rescind an earlier amendment.
The motion to rescind the bill was formally seconded, paving the way for the Red Chamber to dissolve into the Committee of the Whole for detailed reconsideration and possible reenactment of the proposed legislation.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, presided over the session and called out the clauses one after another for deliberation. However, the process was halted at Clause 60 when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South) raised a point of order, drawing immediate attention on the floor.
Following his intervention, murmurs filled the chamber as lawmakers engaged in side discussions, with several senators approaching the Senate President’s desk for consultations. The plenary subsequently moved into a closed-door session.
Before rescinding the Electoral Act, the Senate had raised concerns about the timing of the 2027 general elections and identified technical inconsistencies in the legislation.
Rising under Order 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved the motion to reverse the earlier passage of the bill and return it to the Committee of the Whole for fresh deliberations.
According to Bamidele, the decision followed the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixing the 2027 general elections for February 2027 after consultations with the leadership of the National Assembly.
He explained that stakeholders expressed concerns that the proposed date may conflict with provisions of the amended law, particularly the requirement that elections be scheduled not later than 360 days before the expiration of tenure.
Bamidele further noted that a critical review of the passed bill showed that the 360-day notice requirement contained in Clause 28 could inadvertently result in the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections being conducted during the Ramadan period.
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