National Assembly in Chaos as Both Chambers Reverse Course on Electoral Act Amendment Bill

Nigeria’s National Assembly was thrown into disarray on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as first the House of Representatives and then the Senate voted to undo their earlier passage of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026.

The twin reversals, marked by disputed voice votes, loud protests, and tense confrontations, stemmed from technical flaws, legal inconsistencies, and fears the bill could clash with INEC’s announced 2027 election timetable.

What Sparked the Reversal?

In the House, Hon. Francis E. Waive (APC, Delta) moved a motion under standing orders to rescind the bill’s earlier approval. He reminded lawmakers the bill passed third reading on December 23, 2025, but a joint technical review team – made up of leaders from both chambers, conference committee members, clerks, and legal drafting experts – later identified serious problems in the harmonized text.

These included:

• Wording inconsistencies across clauses.

• Errors in cross-references (some sections pointed to wrong or missing provisions).

• Unintended legal effects that could create confusion or weaken safeguards.

• Potential conflicts with INEC’s 2027 timetable (Presidential/National Assembly on Feb 20, 2027; Governorship/State Assembly on March 6, 2027).

When Speaker Abbas Tajudeen called for a voice vote, the “nays” sounded louder to many present, yet the Speaker ruled the “ayes” had carried the motion. The decision triggered immediate uproar, with lawmakers shouting in protest and banging desks before the House adjourned into a closed-door session.

Senate Follows Suit with Similar Drama

Later that day, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a similar motion to rescind the bill and recommit it to the Committee of the Whole.

When Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the motion to a voice vote, the “nays” appeared louder to many observers. However, Akpabio ruled the “ayes” victorious. Opposition senators, led by Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South), immediately protested, leading to heated exchanges and finger-pointing. To restore order, the Senate also moved into an executive (closed-door) session.

Why This Matters: The Core Dispute

Both chambers’ reversals center on one of the most contentious issues: electronic transmission of election results.

Lawmakers also flagged that the proposed 2027 dates could overlap with Ramadan, potentially impacting voter turnout and logistical planning.