Lawmakers Protest Speaker's Approval to Review Electoral Act

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives protested following Speaker Okays' approval of a motion to review the Electoral Act Bill 2025, which had been passed in December of the previous year. The session, convened to address electoral matters ahead of the 2027 general elections, was marked by a rowdy atmosphere as members voiced their opposition to the motion.

Speaker Okays commended members who traveled outside Abuja to attend the session, which had a single agenda: to rescind and recommit the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025. The motion was sponsored by Franci, the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, who invoked Order Nine Rule 6 of the House Standing Order.

The committee included leadership from the chamber and legal drafters from both the Senate and House of Representatives. Tensions escalated when the Speaker called for a voice vote, leading to protests and a brief disruption of proceedings.

Following this, lawmakers moved to an executive session to discuss the proposed review of the Electoral Act.