Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has revealed that the National Assembly plans to complete the amendment of Electoral Act 2022 by December 2025, ensuring its readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Gatekeepers News reports that Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, made this known in a statement on Tuesday after President Bola Tinubu’s letter to the Senate seeking confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to a release from the Office of the Senate Leader’s Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, the Council of State had unanimously endorsed Amupitan’s nomination last week, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit from the commission. The president has since forwarded the nomination to the Senate for approval.
Explaining the legislative timeline, Bamidele said the amendment process was structured to prevent the delays experienced under the previous administration, which signed the last Electoral Act amendment close to the 2023 elections.
He said, “The only reason the previous administration did not sign the last aspect of the Electoral Bill in 2022 was because it was transmitted to the Presidency late.”
“Before then, we had made our first proposal, and it was signed. But when corrections were made to address the disenfranchisement of statutory delegates, former President Muhammadu Buhari felt it was coming too close to the elections and did not want to be misunderstood by the public. That is why the bill was not signed then.”
He assured that such a delay would not happen again, adding, “Between now and December 2025, we will ensure that the amendment of the Electoral Act, 2022, is concluded so that it will not be too close to the 2027 elections.”
Bamidele, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, expressed optimism about the ongoing constitutional review, noting that collaboration with institutions such as the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures would ensure success.
He said, “I do not envisage that there will be any resistance because public institutions are working with the National Assembly for the successful review of the 1999 Constitution.”
“In this amendment, global best practices will also be taken into consideration, especially in the domestication of international treaties and agreements.”
Responding to opposition criticism, Bamidele said it was a normal part of democracy. He said, “No matter how well a government is performing, the opposition will never agree that the government is doing well because they too are plotting to reclaim the presidency.”
“Part of what they would love to see is the ruling party in disarray, but our focus remains on rebuilding Nigeria, stabilising the polity, and growing the economy. We will not be distracted from this goal.”
He concluded that the 10th National Assembly’s third legislative year would prioritise critical national matters, including the Electoral Act amendment and the constitutional review, alongside other key legislative objectives.
