Tinubu Set to Sign Amended Electoral Act Amid Public Backlash — Akpabio
Senate expands conference committee to fast-track harmonisation with House of Representatives
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to sign the recently amended Electoral Act into law before the end of February, despite growing public criticism and protests over some of the proposed changes.
Akpabio made the disclosure during plenary on Tuesday while announcing the constitution of a 12-member Senate delegation tasked with harmonising differences between the Senate and the House of Representatives on the electoral amendment bills.
The Senate President explained that the Upper Chamber increased the membership of its conference committee from nine to 12 lawmakers to align with the number earlier constituted by the House of Representatives. He said the move was aimed at accelerating the reconciliation process and ensuring the timely transmission of the final harmonised bill to the President for assent.
According to Akpabio, the National Assembly is committed to concluding all legislative processes surrounding the amendment within the shortest possible time to enable the implementation of the new electoral framework ahead of future elections.
The amended Electoral Act has, however, generated intense public debate, with civil society organisations, political stakeholders, and sections of the electorate raising concerns over certain provisions described as controversial. Critics argue that some of the amendments could affect transparency and credibility in Nigeria’s electoral process, while supporters maintain that the changes are necessary to strengthen the country’s electoral system.
The harmonisation exercise by the joint conference committee is expected to resolve outstanding differences between both chambers of the National Assembly before the final document is forwarded to the Presidency.
If signed into law, the amended Act will introduce new provisions that will guide future electoral processes in Nigeria.