A coalition of civil society organisations has warned that continued delay by the Senate in amending the Electoral Act threatens the credibility and timeliness of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, signalling deep concern about legislative inertia ahead of a critical electoral year. The appeal was made during a public briefing on January 22, 2026 in the nation’s capital.
The coalition, including advocacy groups focused on democratic governance, emphasised that while the House of Representatives completed its review of proposed amendments in the previous legislative session, the Senate has yet to undertake clause-by-clause consideration, leaving the reform process stalled. The group said this delay undermines stakeholders’ ability to prepare for next year’s elections and injects uncertainty into election planning and legal frameworks.
Key issues identified by the civil society coalition include provisions on party nomination processes, dispute resolution mechanisms, campaign financing transparency, and voter inclusivity enhancements. The group argued that without timely passage of these reforms, plans by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political parties to implement necessary changes could be significantly hindered, potentially affecting voter confidence and election integrity.
The senators’ delay, the coalition noted, compounds concerns over lead time for electoral preparations, given that constitutional and legal reforms need to be in place well ahead of elections to allow for procedural adjustments, training of electoral staff, and public education. They urged the National Assembly’s upper chamber to reconvene and prioritise the amendment process without further postponement.
The group also called on political stakeholders and the general public to apply constructive pressure on the legislature to ensure that necessary reforms are concluded swiftly, stressing that uninterrupted legislative momentum is vital for fostering electoral credibility and democratic stability.
