Deliberations on the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, remained unresolved on Tuesday as the Senate failed to reach a decision after spending several hours in a closed-door session.
The upper chamber had devoted more than four hours to considering the report of a seven-member ad hoc committee set up to harmonise lawmakers’ views on the proposed legislation.
However, the exercise ended without a clear outcome, leaving the fate of the bill uncertain.
After the closed session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio declined to brief journalists on the discussions or disclose the position reached by the lawmakers.
He subsequently adjourned plenary to the next legislative day without announcing any resolution on the bill.
The committee, which was constituted last week, was mandated to collate, harmonise, and distil opinions expressed by senators during earlier debates on the bill.
It is chaired by Senator Niyi Adegbomore, who heads the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
Other members include Senators Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye, and Titus Zam.
Before Tuesday’s closed session, the Senate had begun consideration of the committee’s consolidated report, which followed extensive deliberations on the proposed amendments to the existing Electoral Act.
The lawmakers later agreed to meet privately to thoroughly examine the report and related documents submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong.
The closed-door meeting was aimed at allowing senators to scrutinise sensitive provisions of the bill and align their positions ahead of further debate.
The move also followed an earlier decision by the Senate to step down consideration of the bill to give members ample time for detailed review.
The continued delay has heightened public interest in the bill, which is considered critical to Nigeria’s electoral reforms ahead of future elections.
For now, however, the Senate has deferred any decisive action, leaving the proposed amendments in limbo.
