The Senate has inaugurated a special committee to reconcile differing positions arising from the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026, in a bid to improve Nigeria’s electoral system.
The panel will be led by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire (APC, Ondo Central). Other members of the committee include Senators Adamu Aleiro (APC, Kebbi Central), Waziri Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South), Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), Mohammed Goje (APC, Gombe Central), Tony Nwoye (APC, Ebonyi North) and Titus Zam (APC, Benue North-West).
Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, made the announcement on Thursday, the 29th of January, 2026, following an extended closed-door meeting of lawmakers. He directed the committee to complete its task within 48 hours and present its findings before the next plenary session slated for Tuesday, the 4th of February, 2026.
According to Akpabio, the review process is intended to fine-tune the Electoral Act to address identified gaps and improve the integrity of elections in the country.
He said, “The objective of this amendment is to strengthen the credibility of our electoral system and address grey areas observed in previous elections.”
The Senate President emphasised the importance of careful consideration of the bill, noting its far-reaching implications for the democratic process.
He added, “This is a very important bill, especially as it is election time. We must take our time to ensure justice is done to all, so that we do not end up at the tribunal.”
Among the major issues being examined in the proposed amendment are provisions for the electronic transmission of election results, tougher sanctions for electoral offences, and broader voter identification measures aimed at reducing electoral fraud and malpractice.
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Lawmakers noted that the short timeline given to the committee reflects the urgency of delivering a robust and credible legal framework ahead of future elections.
In a collective position, the Senate leadership stated, “The Senate is determined to ensure that the Electoral Act reflects best practices and responds to the expectations of Nigerians.”
The committee is expected to submit its report to the Senate at the next sitting, where it will be debated and considered for possible adoption by the chamber.