The House of Representatives descended into chaos during plenary on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, as lawmakers engaged in a fierce and rowdy debate over a motion seeking to rescind the House’s earlier passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The motion, moved by Hon. Francis Waive (APC, Delta), Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, asked the House to reverse its decision on the bill which was passed through third reading on December 23, 2025.
Hon. Waive argued that the bill as passed contains “fundamental flaws” and “dangerous discretionary clauses” particularly around electronic transmission of results that could undermine the integrity of the 2027 general elections. He cited: Ongoing massive protests at the National Assembly gates (#MattressRevolution) demanding mandatory real-time transmission without fallback provisions. Public hearings and civil society feedback showing strong opposition to any discretionary power given to INEC in result transmission. The need to align the House version with the stricter Senate position before harmonization.
The motion immediately triggered sharp divisions: Opposition lawmakers (PDP, LP, and some APC members) supported the rescission, shouting “Let the people’s voice be heard!” and “No to rigged elections in 202.!”
APC majority caucus vehemently opposed it, accusing the mover of “grandstanding,” “sabotaging legislative progress” and “bowing to street pressure.” Some members were heard shouting “Sit down!” and “You want to delay everything.”
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Desk-thumping, name-calling and cross-talk lasted for nearly 45 minutes before Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu repeatedly banged the gavel and threatened to suspend sitting if order was not restored.
After several attempts to restore calm, the Deputy Speaker put the motion to a voice vote. The “ayes” appeared louder, and the motion was declared carried though opposition members protested the ruling and demanded a division (headcount vote).
An ad-hoc committee has been mandated to review the bill again and report back within seven days. The House also resolved to invite INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and other stakeholders for an interface before any further legislative action.
The rowdy session has further delayed harmonization between the two chambers and increased pressure on lawmakers ahead of the statutory deadline for the bill to receive presidential assent.
This is a developing story.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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