The Nigerian Senate convened an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, as the debate over the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill intensified amid ongoing protests at the National Assembly complex.
Although no official reason was given for the emergency sitting, the development comes amid widespread public debate and protests following the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026 through a third reading last week.
The controversial bill, which includes provisions for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units to INEC’s IReV portal, has sparked massive public outcry. Protesters, under coalitions such as the Take-It-Back Movement and Enough is Enough Nigeria, have been staging a sit-in protest at the assembly gates since earlier this week, using mattresses and pillows to symbolize their readiness to “sleep there” until the bill is passed in its strongest form.
The bill passed third reading in the Senate last week but faces criticism for allegedly diluting the electronic transmission clause, allowing INEC discretionary powers in cases of technical failure.
Protesters demand a mandatory provision with no room for manual fallback at collation centres.
Civil society groups and opposition parties (PDP, LP, ADC) have accused the Senate of deliberately weakening the bill to favour the ruling party in 2027.
The emergency session is expected to focus on the harmonization process with the House of Representatives version, which is still at committee stage. The House has also set up a conference committee to reconcile differences between the two chambers’ versions.
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Senate Spokesman: “The emergency sitting is to fast-track legislative business in the interest of the nation. We are committed to delivering a bill that strengthens our democracy.”
Yiaga Africa & CDD: “The Senate must not dilute the electronic transmission provision. Nigerians deserve transparency in 2027.”
Protesters at the gate: “We will not leave until the bill is passed with full electronic transmission. No more rigging!”
The House of Representatives is expected to hold its own session later today or tomorrow to consider the conference committee report.
This is a developing story. DDNewsOnline will bring updates as the emergency session progresses.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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