After earlier hinting at a major shift in Nigeria’s electoral timetable to reduce post-election litigation by holding presidential and governorship polls in November 2026—six months before the end of incumbents’ tenure—the Senate was notably silent on that proposal when it passed for second reading a bill to repeal the Electoral Act 2022 and introduce a new Electoral Bill 2025.
The proposed Electoral Act 2025 seeks to reform electoral governance, strengthen the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and improve transparency in political processes. It introduces new rules on funding, candidate eligibility, voter registration, political party conduct, campaign financing, and electoral offences.
Key reforms include Section 3(3), which mandates early release of INEC funds; Section 5, requiring INEC to submit audited accounts within six months of each fiscal year; and Section 10(2)(c), which adds the National Identification Number (NIN) as a voter registration requirement. Sections 12(1)(d) and 12(2) extend voting rights to inmates, while Section 27(5–7) fixes elections no later than 185 days before the end of incumbents’ tenure. Section 44 introduces early voting, and Section 60(5) mandates electronic transmission of results.
The Senate also passed a bill to amend the National Health Act 2014, raising the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from one percent to two percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to strengthen healthcare financing and reduce dependence on foreign donors.
During deliberation, former Bayelsa governor Senator Seriake Dickson described the current burden on aggrieved candidates to prove election irregularities as “unfair and illogical,” insisting that INEC, as the custodian of election materials, should bear that responsibility. Senate President Godswill Akpabio endorsed the argument, saying the electoral system must move from “legality to legitimacy.” He called for more technology-driven elections and internal party democracy to ensure credible outcomes.
Meanwhile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olisa Agbakoba said President Bola Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy target would remain unrealistic without deep constitutional reform. Speaking in Lagos, he called devolution of power the cornerstone of national transformation, warning that Nigeria’s over-centralised structure stifles growth. He criticised the administration’s silence on restructuring, arguing that history would judge current leaders on whether they seized the chance to rebuild the federation.
The Electoral Bill 2025, sponsored by Senator Simon Lalong, has been referred to the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters for further consultation and public hearing, with a report expected within two weeks.
