Senate Summons Emergency Plenary Amid Electoral Act Amendment Controversy

The Nigerian Senate has summoned an emergency plenary session amid mounting controversy over the recently passed amendment to the Electoral Act.

A memo dated February 8, 2026, and signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, announced that the emergency sitting will hold on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 12:00 noon at the Senate Chamber of the National Assembly.

The notice, addressed to all senators, stated that the directive was issued on the instruction of the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio.

“I am directed by His Excellency, the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, to inform all Distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that an Emergency Sitting of the Senate has been scheduled to hold,” the memo read.

It added that senators were expected to attend the sitting, while regretting any inconvenience the sudden notice might cause.

Although the memo did not specify the reason for the emergency session, it comes against the backdrop of growing public pressure over the amendment of the Electoral Act, particularly the absence of a provision mandating electronic transmission of election results.

Last Wednesday, the Senate passed the Electoral Act amendment bill without making electronic transmission of results compulsory, a move that has triggered widespread public criticism and renewed calls for electoral transparency.

Following the passage of the bill, the Senate had adjourned plenary for two weeks, making the sudden summons of an emergency session notable amid speculation that lawmakers may be responding to the public backlash.