Lawmakers Protest As Speaker Okays Review Of Electoral Act Bill

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives erupted into a chaotic session after a motion was raised to rescind the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025, which the chamber had previously passed in December last year.

The controversy erupted as lawmakers reconvened for an emergency sitting dedicated to deliberations on electoral matters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Presiding over the session, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, commended members who travelled from outside Abuja to attend what he described as a crucial national assignment.

He said the sitting had a single agenda, the rescission and recommittal of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025.

“The issues before us will define the elections of 2027 and give a clear vision of what is expected to be done,” Abbas said, stressing the urgency of revisiting certain provisions earlier approved by the House.

The process began with a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, who invoked Order Nine, Rule 6 of the House Standing Orders to seek the rescission of the bill.

Waive recalled that the Electoral Act Amendment Bill was passed in December 2025 but explained that a technical committee comprising the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly, members of the conference committee, clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as legal drafters, later met to harmonise the legislation.

According to him, the review exposed inconsistencies and unintended consequences in some provisions, necessitating further legislative intervention.

He stressed that the House must ensure Nigeria’s electoral laws promote “maximum participation, fairness, inclusivity, administrative efficiency and public confidence in the electoral system.”

“The House resolves to rescind its decision on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025 and recommit the bill to the Committee of the Whole for consideration,” he said.

The motion was seconded by the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, who supported the call for a fresh review of the bill.

Tension, however, flared when the Speaker put the question on rescinding the bill to a voice vote.

While many lawmakers shouted “nay,” Abbas ruled in favour of the “ayes” and struck the gavel, a move that triggered loud protests and a rowdy atmosphere on the floor of the chamber.

The development briefly disrupted proceedings as members voiced opposition to the ruling.

Following the uproar, the Speaker called for a closed-door meeting to restore calm and allow members deliberate further on the matter.

Lawmakers subsequently moved into an executive session as discussions on the proposed review of the Electoral Act continued behind closed doors, with the outcome expected to shape preparations for the 2027 general elections.