The Senate has constituted a 12-member conference committee to reconcile its version of the Electoral Amendment Bill with that of the House of Representatives amid ongoing controversy over electronic transmission of election results.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the committee members during an emergency plenary session on Tuesday.
The committee, chaired by Senator Simon Lalong, includes:
– Senator Orji Uzor Kalu
– Senator Tahir Monguno
– Senator Adamu Aliero
– Senator Abba Moro
– Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong
– Senator Aminu Iya Abbas
– Senator Tokunbo Abiru
– Senator Niyi Adegbonmire (SAN)
– Senator Jibrin Isah
– Senator Ipalibo Banigo
– Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi
Akpabio increased the committee size from the initial nine to 12 after consultations with Senate leadership, stressing the urgency of the assignment.
“When you meet, you should recognise that this is a matter of urgency. I believe that if you are able to conclude within the next few days or one week, the President should be able to sign the amended Electoral Bill into law within the month of February,” he said.
He directed the committee to work swiftly so the harmonised bill could be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent before the end of February.
The move follows intense debate and public protests over the Senate’s earlier decision to remove the phrase “real-time” from provisions mandating electronic transmission of polling unit results to INEC’s IReV portal.
The Senate insists it did not abolish electronic transmission but declined to make real-time upload mandatory in all circumstances, citing infrastructure challenges such as network failures, grid collapses, and insecurity in remote areas.
The conference committee is expected to address these contentious issues during harmonisation with the House of Representatives, which had retained stronger language on real-time transmission.
The development comes amid sustained public pressure, including protests led by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi, demanding mandatory live transmission to enhance transparency and prevent result manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The final harmonised bill will determine whether real-time electronic transmission becomes compulsory or remains discretionary under INEC’s guidelines.
The National Patriots Movement urges calm following the Senate’s constitution of a joint Electoral Act Amendment Committee.
While citizens retain the lawful right to protest on matters affecting them, such concerns should be registered within democratic order, allowing institutions respond and make corrections. Constitutional reform is routine.
Ongoing agitation risks politicisation, security breaches, and unnecessary tension as the National Assembly concludes harmonisation for Nigerians.
Dr. G. Fraser MFR.
The National Patriots.
