Electoral Act: Senate adjourns plenary after marathon closed door session

The Senate, on Tuesday, adjourned plenary session to Wednesday after a closed door session lasting over four hours without making public the outcome of their deliberations.

Among the items listed on the Senate Order Paper for the day was the consideration of the Report of the Committee on Electoral Matters on Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal & Enactment) Bill, 2026 (SB. 903) standing the name of the committee’s chairman, Simon Bako Lalong.

Returning to plenary after its long closed door session, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who didn’t give any details on the outcome of their session, simply said the lawmakers deliberated on matters that concern the “Senate in particular and the National Assembly in general.”

He went on to call for a motion for adjournment to the next legislative day (Wednesday).

“The Senate in a closed session deliberated on matters relevant to the workings of the Senate, in particular, and the National Assembly in general.

“Is this a true reflection of what transpired in the closed session?”, he asked with lawmakers affirming.

Thereafter, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele rose to move a motion for suspension of other items on the Order Paper and adjournment.

He said, “Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I rise to move for the suspension of other items on the order paper to enable the President adjourn this Senate till tomorrow.”

The Minority Leader, Abba Moro seconded, saying, “Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I so second the motion that the Senate suspends all other items on the Order Paper and adjourn till tomorrow. Thank you.”

The Senate has come under pressure in recent times over its delay in passing the amendment to the 2022 Electoral Act, a development, stakeholders in electoral process, said, could affect the 2027 general elections.

On January 28, the Senate deferred consideration of the report on the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026, opting to first subject the proposed amendments to further internal scrutiny through an executive session.

Akpabio announced the decision during plenary last Wednesday after Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), requested that senators be allowed to take home copies of the report prepared by the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters for a detailed clause-by-clause study.

Meanwhile, the delay in the passage of the bill has continued to generate disquiet as observers believe that passing the proposed amendments ahead of the next elections would help in improving the outcome of the electoral process.

Protesters comprising members of civil society organisations, had last week stormed the National Assembly calling on the Senate to pass the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025 without further delay.

Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5 million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25 million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, click here to find out how it works.

Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.