The passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026 remained inconclusive on Tuesday as the Senate failed to reach a decision after prolonged deliberations behind closed doors.
The upper legislative chamber spent over four hours considering the report of a seven-member ad hoc committee constituted to collate and harmonise lawmakers’ views on the proposed amendment. Proceedings initially commenced in plenary before senators dissolved into a closed session to review the consolidated documents.
However, upon reconvening, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, declined to disclose details of the outcome of the deliberations. He subsequently adjourned plenary to the next legislative day without a resolution on the bill.
The ad hoc committee was set up last week following more than two hours of closed-door consideration of the bill’s provisions. It was mandated to distil lawmakers’ contributions and present a consolidated report to the chamber for further legislative action.
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.
Earlier, the Senate had begun consideration of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026 after receiving documents from the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong. Lawmakers again opted for a closed session to thoroughly examine the proposed amendments and supporting materials before resuming open debate.
The latest development follows a previous deferment of the bill, which was intended to give senators adequate time to study the proposed changes ahead of detailed legislative scrutiny.
