Abuja nearly boil as Senate session turn serious kasala when lawmakers reopen Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 after nationwide protest and heavy public pressure. Wetin start as normal plenary quickly change to shouting match as senators argue over Clause 60(3), the part wey concern electronic transmission of election results.
After long debate and plenty back-and-forth, Senate finally agree say election results go dey transmitted electronically to INEC portal after presiding officer and party agents don sign EC8A for polling unit. But dem still stop short to make real-time transmission compulsory, move wey don continue to spark anger from Nigerians wey fear say loophole still dey for manipulation before 2027 elections.
Wahala begin when Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno move motion to cancel earlier decision and revisit the clause, say public reaction strong and lawmakers need align with wetin Nigerians want. Minority leaders support am, but Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe challenge the process, demand make senators vote one by one. That move trigger loud exchanges as many senators shout, interrupt each other and question procedure, forcing Senate President Akpabio to beg for calm before session continue.
READ ALSO: Electoral Act Kasala: Senate Don Come Back Sit As Pressure Mount Over Real-Time Result Transmission
As debate cool small, Senate approve revised clause wey allow manual EC8A results remain main basis if network fail during electronic transmission — decision wey critics say still weaken transparency. Immediately after plenary, Senate announce 12-member conference committee led by Senator Simon Lalong to harmonise the bill with House of Reps version within one week, so President Tinubu fit sign am into law soon.
Outside National Assembly, protests continue under “Occupy NASS” banner, with youths, civil society groups and opposition leaders demanding full real-time transmission. Political big men like Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi don join demonstrators, warn say any attempt to weaken electronic process fit damage Nigeria democracy. Even Arewa Consultative Forum raise alarm over alleged alteration of laws after passage, while ADC say public pressure force Senate to reconsider parts of the bill.
As tension still dey high, Nigerians dey watch closely as lawmakers balance between public demand for credible elections and controversial amendments wey don cause nationwide outrage.