By SUNTV Global Channel
February 10, 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to sign the amended Electoral Act into law before the end of February, despite growing public outrage and nationwide protests over provisions widely described as anti-democratic.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, disclosed this on Tuesday during a plenary session of the Senate, monitored by SUNTV Global Channel, while announcing the constitution of a joint conference committee to reconcile differences between the Senate and the House of Representatives on the controversial electoral amendment bills.
According to Akpabio, the Senate expanded its conference committee from nine to twelve members to match the House of Representatives, a move he said was aimed at fast-tracking the harmonisation process.
“We have raised our numbers from nine to twelve to match the figures from our colleagues in the House of Reps. We expect everything to be concluded within a few days or at most a week. The President is expected to sign the bill into law in February,” Akpabio stated.
His comments come amid escalating public backlash, street demonstrations, and accusations that the National Assembly deliberately weakened key provisions of the Electoral Act to undermine transparent and credible elections.
Sowore Leads Protest, Warns Political Elite
On Monday, human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, joined protesters under the banner of #OccupyNASS, organised by the National Opposition Movement (NOM), at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
Sowore accused the political establishment of engineering electoral laws designed to favour manipulation and electoral fraud, warning security agencies against suppressing peaceful demonstrations.
“This provision was not new. It already existed. That is why Nigerians are shocked that it was deliberately removed from the Electoral Act that Akpabio and his allies are pushing,” Sowore said.
He argued that resistance to transparent electoral reforms stems from the ruling elite’s inability to win genuinely free and fair elections.
“These people cannot win credible elections. That is the real reason. Nigerians have a duty to demand processes that guarantee free, legal, and transparent elections,” he added.
Beyond Result Transmission
While much of the public debate has focused on electronic transmission of results, Sowore said his concern goes deeper.
“My preference is not even electronic transmission of results. What gets transmitted is often what has already been manipulated. I am more interested in electronic voting,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to defend any system capable of protecting the integrity of their votes.
“Whatever can truly protect the people’s votes must be defended and supported collectively,” Sowore stated.
Warning To Security Agencies
The activist also cautioned security operatives against repressing dissent, stressing that their constitutional role is to protect citizens, not intimidate them.
“It is their job to protect the country, not to attack peaceful protesters. If they attempt that, they are starting something they cannot predict the outcome of,” he warned.
Sowore described the protest as a sign of rising political consciousness across the country, rejecting gradual reforms in favour of radical change.
“I am not for baby steps. I am a revolutionary. Nigeria’s problems require fundamental change,” he declared.
Despite mounting resistance, Akpabio’s remarks suggest the National Assembly remains determined to push the amendments through, setting the stage for a deepening confrontation between Nigeria’s political class and citizens demanding sweeping electoral reforms.
