Senate Calls Emergency Sitting Amid Furores Over Electoral Act Amendment
The Nigerian Senate has announced an emergency plenary session following rising furores over its recent amendment of the Electoral Act, particularly regarding electronic transmission of election results.
A memo dated 8 February 2026 and signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, informed all senators that the emergency sitting is scheduled for Tuesday, 10 February 2026, at 12:00 noon in the Senate Chamber of the National Assembly.
The notice, issued on the instruction of Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio, urged full attendance and apologised for the short notice.
The session is expected to focus on contentious clauses of the amendment, especially the electronic transmission provision, which has drawn criticism from political leaders and civil society groups.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has been among the most vocal critics, describing the Senate’s rejection of mandatory e-transmission as “a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy.” Obi warned that failing to adopt electronic safeguards perpetuates disorder and opens the door for electoral manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He further urged Nigerians to resist any attempt to undermine electoral integrity, stressing that the manipulations witnessed during the 2023 elections must not be repeated.
Senate President Akpabio, however, maintains that the Senate did not reject electronic transmission of results and has defended the lawmakers’ actions as efforts to ensure a credible electoral process.
The emergency session highlights the mounting tension over electoral reforms and reflects growing public calls for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s election system.
