Prosper Okoye
Nigeria’s Senate has postponed consideration of a bill seeking to repeal and re-enact the Electoral Act, agreeing to study the proposed legislation in more detail before taking a decision.
The move followed debate on the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters during plenary on Tuesday. The committee’s chairman, Senator Simon Lalong, was absent from the session.
Lawmakers agreed to step down deliberation on the report to allow senators more time to examine the bill, with consideration expected to resume on Thursday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Senate also resolved to hold an executive session to discuss parts of the proposed reforms behind closed doors.
Although the House of Representatives has already passed the bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the upper chamber needed to proceed with caution because of the legislation’s implications for Nigeria’s electoral process.
“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 told senators.
A clause-by-clause review by the committee found that the bill could strengthen electoral integrity, improve transparency and boost public confidence in the voting process.
Atiku Accuses Senate of Delaying Electoral Act Reforms Ahead of 2027 Polls
Pressure Mounts on Nigeria’s Senate Over Electoral Reform Delay
Tinubu Sends 21 Nominations to Senate for Oil and Gas Regulatory Boards
The committee recommended that the Senate pass the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025, as amended, saying the proposed changes would expand voter participation, curb electoral malpractice and strengthen the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
