Senate President Godswill Akpabio has rejected criticism of the Senate’s ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act, saying commentators and civil society actors are misjudging lawmakers and that public debate is premature because the legislative process is not yet complete.
The comments from Akpabio follow widespread public debate and controversy over how the Senate has handled provisions in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026, particularly clauses relating to the electronic transmission of election results.
Critics, including civil society organisations and opposition parties, have said the Senate’s actions undermine transparency.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other stakeholders have openly criticised the Senate for reportedly rejecting amendments that would have made real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results mandatory.
These criticisms have fuelled public discussion and protest threats from groups such as the Obidient Movement Worldwide.
Akpabio made his remarks in Abuja when he served as special guest of honour at the book unveiling of “The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria,” authored by Senator Effiong Bob.
He said the Senate has not concluded its work on the amendment and warned against premature assessments of incomplete legislative processes.
The Senate President clarified that the upper chamber did not remove the electronic transmission of election results and that debates over that clause were misunderstood.
He said what occurred was questioning the wording related to real-time transmission because of concerns about legal and technological challenges, not a rejection of electronic transmission itself.
Akpabio explained that until the “Votes and Proceedings” stage is completed, senators can still amend or clarify provisions, and the bill’s content remains subject to change before final passage. He stressed that public criticism before this phase is unfounded.
Akpabio said: “The Electoral Act amendment is incomplete. We have not completed it, but they are already on television. They don’t understand lawmaking.”
He added: “When we bring out the Votes and Proceedings, any senator has a right to rise and say, ‘On clause three, this was what we agreed upon.’ That is the only time you can talk about what the Senate has done or not done.”
Akpabio’s defence of the Senate’s handling of the Electoral Act amendment highlights ongoing tensions between the legislature and civil society as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The debate over result transmission and other reforms reflects broader national concerns over electoral transparency, credibility and legal clarity within electoral laws.
His remarks underscore the legislative branch’s insistence on procedural correctness while under pressure from public stakeholders to enact reforms that critics argue are vital to strengthening democratic processes.
