The Nigerian Senate has ruled out amending the Electoral Act 2026 before the 2027 general elections, saying lawmakers will only consider reviewing the legislation after the polls if the need arises.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, disclosed this while reacting to renewed debate over provisions governing political party membership registers and candidate nomination procedures.
According to Adaramodu, the National Assembly has completed the legislative process, and reopening the law at this stage could create uncertainty for political parties preparing for the forthcoming elections.
“We have already done the electoral reform and passed that one; it is meant for the 2027 elections,” he said.
Adaramodu added that lawmakers could consider amendments after the elections if petitions, public concerns or implementation challenges established the need for a review.
He maintained that political parties had already relied on the existing provisions in preparing to select candidates for elective offices, questioning the implications of changing the rules midway through the process.
The Senate’s position follows a Supreme Court judgment that overturned an earlier Court of Appeal decision declaring disputed provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 unconstitutional.
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The case centred on provisions concerning political party membership records and procedures for selecting candidates. The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) had challenged the provisions, arguing that they interfered with political parties’ constitutional powers to manage their internal affairs.
The Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the suit on May 5, 2026. However, the Court of Appeal reversed that decision on July 16, prompting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to approach the Supreme Court.
On September 24, the Supreme Court allowed INEC’s appeal, set aside the Court of Appeal’s judgment and restored the Federal High Court’s decision. The apex court also awarded N2 million in costs against the ZLP.
Following the judgment, the disputed provisions remain in force, strengthening the existing legal framework governing party membership records and candidate selection ahead of the 2027 elections.
Adaramodu said individuals or groups with objections to the legislation could still submit petitions to the National Assembly for consideration.
However, he reiterated that the Senate would not reopen the Electoral Act before the forthcoming general elections, leaving any potential legislative review until after the polls.
