The Senate on Tuesday convened an emergency plenary session to deliberate on amendments to the Electoral Act, as protesters gathered at the National Assembly complex over the removal of the clause mandating real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The extraordinary sitting comes just days after the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, which has triggered widespread criticism from civil society organisations, opposition political parties, labour unions, professional bodies, regional leaders and youth groups.
Critics argue that the removal of the electronic transmission provision could undermine the credibility and transparency of future elections.
Protesters, many of whom arrived at the National Assembly early in the day, carried placards and chanted slogans demanding the reinstatement of electronic transmission of results and greater openness in the legislative process.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio is presiding over the session, which is being attended by the remaining senators following recent changes in the composition of the Upper Chamber.
Within the last six months, the Senate lost Senators Okechukwu Ezea (Enugu) and Godiya Akwashiki (Nasarawa) to death, while Senator Jimoh Ibrahim exited the chamber after his appointment as an ambassador-designate by President Bola Tinubu. These developments reduced the number of serving senators from 109 to 106.
The emergency sitting was announced on Sunday by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo.
“The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has directed the reconvening of plenary for an emergency sitting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026,” the statement said.
The plenary, which commenced at noon, is expected to focus primarily on the contentious Electoral Act amendments, as protests continue outside the National Assembly complex.
