The Senate has announced plans to reconvene for an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, following growing public criticism over its recent decisions on amendments to the Electoral Act.
The decision was conveyed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, who said all senators have been formally notified to attend the special sitting.
According to the statement, Senate President Godswill Akpabio authorised the emergency session, which is scheduled to begin at 12 noon.
“The President of the Senate has approved the reconvening of plenary for an emergency sitting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026,” the statement said, adding that attendance by all senators is mandatory.
The development comes days after the Senate passed an amendment bill on February 4, but rejected Clause 60(3), a provision that sought to make the electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission result viewing portal mandatory.
Instead, lawmakers retained a provision that allows electronic transmission of results at the discretion of the electoral body, after votes have been counted and publicly announced at polling units.
The rejection of the clause has triggered sharp reactions from civil society organisations, opposition politicians, and election observers, many of whom argue that the decision weakens transparency and undermines electoral credibility.
Despite the backlash, Senate President Akpabio has defended the chamber’s position, insisting that lawmakers did not abolish electronic transmission of results.
Speaking at a public event after the vote, Akpabio maintained that the Senate merely exercised caution and would not bow to pressure.
“The Senate has not rejected electronic transmission of results,” he said.
“We will not be intimidated into making laws that may have unintended consequences.”
