Abuja — The Senate on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, held an emergency plenary session to address mounting public outrage over recent amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly provisions related to the electronic transmission of election results.
The sitting, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was convened following days of sustained criticism and large-scale demonstrations outside the National Assembly complex. Protesters, including civil society organizations, youth groups, opposition politicians, labour unions, professional bodies, and regional leaders, have demanded the restoration of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
The controversy stems from the passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, by the National Assembly last week. During clause-by-clause consideration, the Senate rejected a proposed amendment to Clause 60 that would have explicitly mandated real-time electronic transmission of results. Instead, lawmakers retained the existing language from the 2022 Act, which states that presiding officers shall transmit results “in the manner prescribed by the Commission.”
Critics argue that the omission removes a critical safeguard against result manipulation, delays, or alterations during collation, thereby undermining public trust in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The emergency plenary was formally announced on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in a statement issued by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo. The statement read: “The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has directed the reconvening of plenary for an emergency sitting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.”
Plenary commenced around noon on Tuesday, with lawmakers expected to engage in extensive debate on the contentious amendments and consider possible reconsideration of the rejected clauses.
Outside the complex, protests intensified early Tuesday morning. Demonstrators arrived in large numbers, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Electoral Reform Now,” “Our Votes Must Count,” “Restore Real-Time Transmission,” and “No Transparency, No 2027.” Chants of “Pass the Bill” and “Our Mandate Must Be Protected” echoed through the area as the crowd maintained a sit-in at the main entrances.
Security was significantly reinforced around the Three Arms Zone, with personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army (including Guards Brigade elements), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), and other agencies deployed to maintain order and secure the legislative premises. Major access roads were cordoned off, restricting vehicular and pedestrian movement in some sections, though the demonstration has remained largely peaceful.
Prominent figures, including former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and activist Aisha Yesufu, have been seen among the protesters. Obi described the demand as a non-partisan call for democratic integrity, stating: “This is about ensuring that every vote cast is counted transparently. The people have spoken, and the Senate must listen.”
The Senate has maintained that it did not reject electronic transmission of results outright. Senate leadership has explained that the decision to avoid mandating “real-time” specifics was intended to prevent technical or legal challenges that could arise from rigid statutory language. However, the explanation has done little to quell public anger, with many viewing the outcome as a step backward from the transparency gains achieved in the 2022 Electoral Act.
Civil society groups and opposition voices have warned that failure to address the concerns could further erode confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system. Some have vowed to sustain the #OccupyNASS protest until the provision is reinstated or clarified in a manner that guarantees real-time public access to results.
As deliberations continue inside the chamber, the Senate faces intense pressure to respond decisively. Any decision to revisit the clauses would require a formal motion for reconsideration, subject to the Senate’s standing rules and constitutional requirements.
The emergency session underscores the high stakes surrounding electoral reform in Nigeria, with both lawmakers and citizens keenly aware of the implications for the credibility of future elections.
