Abuja – Nigeria’s Senate will hold an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, after public pressure mounted over the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill. Meanwhile, Senate Clerk Emmanuel Odo sent the notice on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Experts say the session responds directly to nationwide concern over the controversial bill.
Why the Emergency Sitting Matters
Senators rejected a key amendment that would make real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. As a result, critics argue that the amendment ensures transparent and credible elections, especially with the 2027 general elections approaching.
Instead, senators kept the current system, allowing electronic transmission only after counting and announcing results. Consequently, citizens and civil society groups widely criticized the move.
SEE ALSO,
Senate Backs FG on Nigeria’s National Halal Economy Strategy
Police Arrest Suspect Over Death of Gospel Artiste, Three Others in Lagos Studio
Public Outcry and Political Pressure
The decision triggered immediate reactions:
- Civil society and labour groups: Threatened protests if lawmakers fail to reconsider the amendment. Notably, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led the calls.
- Legal and political experts: Warned that rejecting the amendment undermines democratic accountability. Furthermore, they said it could create room for electoral disputes.
- Opposition parties and citizens: Called on the Senate to use the emergency sitting to revisit the clause. Ultimately, many hope the session will restore public trust.
Senate Leadership Responds
Senate President Godswill Akpabio defended the earlier decision. He said the Senate did not reject electronic transmission completely. However, senators cited technical challenges in remote areas and unclear definitions of “real-time.” Despite this, public skepticism remains strong.
What to Expect on Tuesday
Observers expect senators to:
- Reconsider the rejected e-transmission clause,
- Propose compromises to address public concerns, or
- Focus on other amendments to strengthen electoral transparency.
Therefore, with just over a year to the 2027 elections, the emergency sitting could reshape electoral reforms, public trust, and Nigeria’s democratic credibility.
Leave a Reply