The House of Representatives has identified the amendment of the Electoral Act as one of its major legislative priorities for the year, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has said.
Presiding over plenary on Tuesday, Kalu disclosed that the Green Chamber would also give attention to key provisions of the Constitution currently undergoing amendment, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic and governance frameworks.
According to him, the House has set clear legislative targets and milestones, with electoral reform ranking high among them.
He noted that while the House has already taken steps on the Electoral Act amendment, further progress would depend on concurrence from the Senate.
“There are targets and milestones that we hope to achieve this year, and one of them is the Electoral Act.
“The coming days will show the Senate doing its part, having done our part, ” he said.
The deputy speaker also assured lawmakers and Nigerians that the 2026 Appropriation Bill, which is presently before the National Assembly, would receive thorough and careful scrutiny.
He stressed that the House would work closely with its committees to ensure that the budget becomes a practical and effective instrument for governance.
He said the House was committed to ensuring that the budget adequately serves the needs of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), while also supporting national development objectives.
“The budget is currently before us, and with the support of various committees of the House, we will do due diligence to ensure that it becomes a working instrument for the MDAs and for the nation at large,” Kalu added.
However, plenary activities were abruptly halted following the announcement of the deaths of three former senators.
The development led to the adjournment of the sitting to allow for a valedictory session in their honour.
The deceased lawmakers are Senator Godiya Akwashiki, who represented Nasarawa North between 2019 and 2025; Senator Okechukwu Ezea, who served as senator for Enugu North from 2023 to 2025; and Senator John Kojo-Brambaifa, a former senator for Bayelsa West between 2003 and 2007.
Following the adjournment, members of the House are expected to resume full legislative business on Wednesday.
