Politics
Senate turns down Buhari’s request to delete section 84(12) of Electoral Act
The Senate yesterday turned down President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to amend the Electoral Act, 2022 that specifically requested for the Senate to outrightly delete section 84(12)
This followed the woeful failure of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to scale through second reading on the floor during plenary.
The proposed law, “A bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act 2022” was overwhelmingly rejected during its second reading
Before a voice vote on the bill, for which the nays had it, several lawmakers spoke against going ahead to amend the Act and urged that the Senate abide by a court ruling, which stopped the National Assembly from tampering with the electoral law.
President Buhari had, in a letter to the National Assembly last week, asked the federal lawmakers to amend the Act, by deleting Section 84 (12), which, according to him, constitutes a “defect” that is in conflict with extant Constitutional provisions.
The section required political appointees to resign their appointment before participating in primary elections.
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday barred President Buhari, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Senate President from tampering with the Act.
The judge, Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on an ex-parte application by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the Electoral Act had become a valid law and could not be amended without following the due process of law.
The Court maintained that the Electoral Act, has become a valid law could not be altered without following the due process of law.
But the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday, said the court ruling would not stop the National Assembly from amending the Electoral Act 2022.
He said the court ruling violated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) on Separation of Powers
In the move to reject the bill, Senator Adamu Aliero fired the first salvo for the bill to be stepped down after the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, moved a motion for the bill to be read a second time.
Aliero, who came under a point of order, drew the attention of his colleagues to the provision of Rule 52(5) of the Senate Standing Order.
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Order 52(5) provides that, “Reference shall not be made to any matter on which a judicial decision is pending, in such a way as might in the opinion of the President of the Senate prejudice the interest of parties thereto.”
He, therefore, advised the upper chamber to step down consideration of the bill pending the vacation of a court order delivered by the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday.
According to the Lawmaker, going ahead with the amendment of the Act was in clear conflict with the sub judice rule in law which prevents the legislature from deliberating or considering any matter already before a court of competent jurisdiction.
“Going ahead to consider the bill obviously will mean that we are disrespecting that order, and this is an institution of the Senate – the symbol of Nigeria’s Lawmaking body.
“We should not be seen to be disobeying the court order. No matter how bad that court order is, we should respect it.
“So, I’m of the opinion that we should stop considering this bill pending the time the court set aside that order, and I think I’m speaking the opinion of my colleagues here”, Aliero said.
The Senate President, while ruling on Aliero’s point of Order, insisted that the move by the upper chamber to amend the Electoral Act was in line with exercising its Constitutional duties amid following due process.
“To be specific to this particular request, for us in the Senate, it is to look at the request and follow our due process.
“Looking at the request does not mean granting the request. Members of the National Assembly are at liberty to review the request to see if the arguments by the Executive arm of government are convincing enough.
“If the arguments are not convincing enough, the National Assembly can deny the request, and that is how it is. We have no incumbrance from that order.
“So, it is for Senators here to decide to vote for this amendment or vote against it.
“I think we are not breaching any law, in fact, we are trying to promote democracy because to do otherwise may mean that one day someone will go to court and say that the Senate of the National Assembly should not sit.
“I want to appeal to all of us, that we are on the right course and my ruling remains that we are going ahead to consider the proposal which the Leader of the Senate is leading the debate.
“At the end of the debate, we are going to vote, and the vote will decide the fate of the bill.
“I’m sure all of us know that whatever we do here is to protect democracy and the sanctity of the upper chamber”, the Senate President said.
The Senate Leader was then given the floor to lead the debate on the Electoral Act Amendment bill.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), kicked against the deletion of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill as requested by President Buhari.
He said, “There are certain things that we see which we think we don’t even have to come here to debate.
“One of those things is the fact that in every democracy, all over the world, there are certain rules which we don’t need to be told about.
“One of those rules is the fact that you cannot be a referee and a player on the same field. It is either you’re a referee or a player.
“So, every other place in the world where democracy is practised including Nigeria, we don’t need to be told that if we want to run for office, we have to resign. That is a sine qua non that we don’t even need to debate.
“Yet here we are today in Nigeria, and people think they can sit in an office and contest an election and become candidates and continue to sit in that office until the date of the election.
“So, how would we continue to debase democracy in this way?
“Mr President, I think, a cursory look at this paper shows that this paper is dead on arrival. And I urge you, my colleagues, to help us to continue to deepen democracy by insisting that this bill not be read a second time in any manner whatsoever.”
Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West), who was also opposed to the consideration of the bill said, “one of the hallmarks of democracy is Justice, Fairness and Equity.
“Indeed, Mr President, it is a settled matter in law that you cannot be a judge over you own case.
“In any election, where people have the added advantage of holding executive power, either by proxy or directly or by appointment, for such people to have access and compete with others who came from the street, I think is an unjust society.
“Therefore, Mr President, I disagree with all the arguments on the need to consider a decision that has already been settled.”
A move by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, to sway his colleagues were unsuccessful.
The bill, when eventually put to a voice vote for a second reading by the Senate President after its consideration, received a resounding ‘nay’ from Senators in the majority across party lines
During the voice votes, a drama had ensued as Lawan after calling out for votes was shocked that the Ayes was a lonely voice for which he decided to repeat the call asking his colleagues whether they did not hear him.
After the repeated call for votes, the Nays still had it overwhelmingly
The Senate leader Yahaya Abdullahi while leading the debate said, “Permit to lead the debate on this very important bill seeking to amend section 84(12). The bill was read the first time on Tuesday
“You may recall that the bill was passed into law and assented to by the President and commander in chief on the 25th February 2022, however, the president expressed reservation on section 84(12) which states as follows, No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the Convention or Congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election in cases where it holds earlier than 30 days earlier to the national election.
“This provision has been interpreted by as being interpreted by the executive arm government as introducing qualification and disqualification criteria that are ultra vires to the Constitution by way of disqualification of serving political officeholders.
“It is my humble opinion that this proposed amendment be looked into by this distinguished senate which can come out with an objective position that will strengthen our electoral processes as well as our democratic disposition.
Otunba Segun Showunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to look beyond current political controversies and give President Bola Tinubu’s administration more time, arguing that the country’s ongoing reforms should be assessed on their long-term outcomes.
Showunmi made the appeal in a statement published on his X account on Sunday, October 11, 2026, as political discussions ahead of the 2027 general election continue to gather attention.
He argued that the call for continuity was not based on Tinubu’s name or personality but on what he described as a broader national project aimed at rebuilding the country.
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“We have not asked you to support continuity because his name is Asiwaju @officialABAT. He could just as well have been named Peter Atiku Tinubu, and it would make no difference to our argument,” he said.
According to Showunmi, the central issue is whether Nigeria should be allowed to continue its current reform process rather than making political decisions based on personalities or sentiments.
“Our plea is simple: give Nigeria the opportunity to continue this journey of national rebirth. The process is underway. Its effects are beginning to emerge, and the ambition is for its benefits to reach every Nigerian, everywhere,” he stated.
He acknowledged that Nigerians were still experiencing economic difficulties but cautioned against interpreting the hardship as proof that the reform process had failed.
“There is still work to be done, and the hardship many people face must never be dismissed. But we must not confuse the pain of transition with the failure of the journey,” Showunmi said.
The PDP chieftain also challenged Nigerians to scrutinise the records and policy proposals of politicians seeking to replace Tinubu, urging voters to consider what they offered beyond campaign promises.
“What exactly are they proposing? How does it differ from what is being done? What did they do when they had the opportunity? And, most importantly, can their promises withstand the scrutiny of their own records?” he asked.
He maintained that decisions about the country’s leadership should be based on policies, records and measurable outcomes rather than political loyalty or resentment.
“Nigeria cannot afford to make consequential decisions on the strength of slogans, sentiments, personalities or political resentment. We must judge ideas by their substance, leadership by its record, and policies by their outcomes,” he said.
‘This Is Bigger Than Tinubu’
Showunmi stressed that his argument was not that the country had achieved perfection under the current administration but that its reform efforts deserved an honest assessment.
“The argument is not that everything is perfect today. The argument is that the work of rebuilding Nigeria must be judged honestly, and the journey must be given the opportunity to deliver its full promise,” he stated.
He urged Nigerians to place the national interest above political differences when assessing the country’s direction ahead of the next election.
“That is why we ask you to look again, think deeply, and consider the national interest above every other sentiment,” he added.
Concluding his appeal, Showunmi reiterated that the issue extended beyond Tinubu as an individual, describing it as a question of Nigeria’s future and the responsibilities owed to generations to come.
“This is bigger than Asiwaju. It is about Nigeria, the country we must rebuild for ourselves and the generations coming after us,” he said.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has cited infrastructure projects and key political appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as reasons the North Central region should support his re-election bid in 2027.
Yilwatda made the remarks on Saturday at the North Central Grand Endorsement Rally for Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
He declared that the region would reward Tinubu with massive votes in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the president had done more for the North Central region than previous Nigerian leaders.
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“Mr President has done what no president has done for North-Central. Who will stand with him? Who will work with him? Who will vote for him?” Yilwatda asked supporters at the rally.
Yilwatda Highlights Road Projects Across North Central
Speaking partly in Hausa, the APC chairman highlighted road construction and other infrastructure projects as evidence of Tinubu’s contributions to the region.
He referenced several road projects connecting communities across parts of Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory, mentioning routes linking locations such as Akwanga, Lafia, Jos and Keffi.
According to Yilwatda, the projects demonstrate the administration’s commitment to improving road connectivity across the region.
He insisted that the scale of the developments represented a significant change for the North Central region.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done for North-Central what people should come and see,” he said, according to the English rendering of his remarks in the supplied transcript.
Yilwatda urged residents to recognise the administration’s infrastructure investments and support the president in the forthcoming elections.
Cites Akume’s Appointment, APC Leadership Position
Beyond infrastructure, Yilwatda pointed to political appointments as another reason the region should support Tinubu.
He specifically mentioned Senator George Akume’s appointment as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), describing it as an example of the region’s representation in the federal government.
The APC chairman also referenced his own emergence as the national chairman of the ruling party, arguing that the administration had provided opportunities for people from the North Central region to occupy prominent positions.
He maintained that the appointments demonstrated the region’s inclusion in the administration and the ruling party’s leadership structure.
APC Chairman Seeks Support at All Levels
Yilwatda called on APC members and supporters across the North Central region to unite behind Tinubu and work towards electoral victories for the party at all levels in 2027.
Reiterating his confidence in the region’s support for the president, he urged party members to mobilise voters ahead of the elections.
“North-Central stand with Mr President. North-Central appreciate Mr President,” he said.
He added that the region would support the APC from the presidential level down to other elective positions.
Yilwatda also thanked party leaders, stakeholders and supporters who attended the rally, expressing appreciation for their participation in the party’s mobilisation efforts.
The rally in Lafia brought together APC leaders and supporters to endorse Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With the 100-day countdown to Nigeria’s 2027 general election, there are signals that the poll might be marred by voter-apathy.
With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) kicking off the display of the National Register of Voters (NRV) and the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) last Friday, indications from various states show low voter turnout at the Ward/Registration Area levels.
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The INEC, however, attributed the low turnout to the exercise being in its opening day and expressed optimism that there would be an improvement with time.
While the exercise began smoothly and peacefully in many states, eligible voters in Umuahia, Abia State, expressed anger and disappointment over their inability to collect their PVCs following the absence of INEC officials at some designated collection centres.
The exercise followed an announcement by the Commission that PVCs are now ready for collection.
The INEC in inviting the public to the exercise declared, “Registered in 2025? Your PVC is now ready for collection. The cards are available for fresh registrants, transfers, replacements, and those who carried out information updates or reviews in 2025. Voters from previous registration exercises can also collect theirs.
“If you registered, requested a transfer, or applied for a replacement of a lost or damaged PVC during the first phase, your PVC will be available for collection.”
It added that “Uncollected PVCs from previous voter registration exercises will also be available.”
Collection at the Registration Areas (RAs) runs from Friday, October 9, to Thursday, October 15, 2026, between the hours of 9am to 3pm. From Friday, October 16, 2026, it moved to the Local Government Areas LGAs.
In the same period, the Commission said, “From Friday, 9th to Thursday, 15th October 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC will display the National Register of Voters for public scrutiny at all Registration Areas nationwide.”
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