Electoral Act: Senate Names Oshiomhole, Tambuwal in Seven-Man Review Committee.
The Senate has constituted a seven-man ad hoc committee to review and harmonise proposed amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act, as part of early legislative preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The committee includes Senators Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto South), alongside other senior lawmakers drawn across party lines. It is chaired by Senator Niyi Adegbomire, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
Other members of the committee are Senators Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), and Titus Zam (Benue North-West).
The panel was set up following extensive debates on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, during which lawmakers raised concerns over overlapping provisions, penalties for electoral offences, and the need to strengthen the credibility of future elections. To allow for proper harmonisation of views, the Senate stepped down further consideration of the bill and mandated the committee to fine-tune contentious areas.
According to the Senate, the committee is expected to collate submissions from senators, reconcile differing positions, and present a unified report within a tight timeline to avoid delays in the legislative process.
The proposed amendments are aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s electoral system, including vote-buying, result manipulation, enforcement of sanctions for electoral offences, party primaries, and the broader use of technology to enhance transparency.
The review process is also intended to align the Senate’s position with the version of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill earlier passed by the House of Representatives, paving the way for harmonisation by both chambers of the National Assembly.
The Senate leadership said the exercise underscores the legislature’s commitment to electoral reforms that will strengthen democratic governance and public confidence ahead of the 2027 polls.
