Senate halts debate on Electoral Act Amendment after heated Plenary Session

Efforts to amend the 2022 Electoral Act were temporarily halted in the Senate on Thursday after intense debates erupted during plenary.

The process, which began with a lead debate by Senator Simon Lalong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters representing Plateau South, faced resistance from several lawmakers during the general discussion. This disagreement ultimately stalled further progress on the proposed amendments.

During the deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio revisited his experience in the 2019 general elections, alleging that he was a victim of electoral injustice in his bid for the Akwa Ibom West Senatorial seat.

He recounted that although the returning officer, Peter Ogban, was prosecuted and jailed for electoral misconduct, the then Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, whom he accused of being the real offender, was never brought to justice.

Following the heated exchanges, the Senate decided to step down consideration of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to a later legislative date to allow for further consultations and possible consensus among members.