House of Reps Revisits Electoral Act Amid Protests

On Tuesday, the Nigerian House of Representatives reconvened for an emergency session to revisit the potential amendment of the Electoral Act in preparation for the 2027 general elections. Speaker Abba Tajudeen commended members who traveled outside Abuja for this crucial national assignment, emphasizing the importance of a single agenda.

The session was called in response to the announcement of the timeline for the 2027 general polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). A motion was sponsored by Hon. Franci to rescind the bill pursuant to Order Nine Rule 6 of the House's standing orders.

The bill had previously passed through a technical committee comprising leadership from both chambers of the National Assembly. During the session, Adebayo Balogun, the chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, moved a second motion for a formal recommitment of the bill to the committee for fresh consideration.

However, when the Speaker put the question to rescind the bill, protests erupted among lawmakers, prompting the Speaker to call for a closed-door session.