The National Assembly is set to resume plenary sessions on Tuesday, February 17, amid strong indications that the long-anticipated Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 may be considered for passage.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, notified lawmakers that both chambers would reconvene at 11:00 a.m., urging full attendance in view of critical national deliberations.
“The Senate and the House of Representatives will reconvene plenary sessions at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 17th February 2026,” the statement read, adding that “both Chambers are expected to deliberate and take crucial decisions during the session.”
Although the official agenda was not explicitly stated, developments suggest that lawmakers may prioritise consideration of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, widely regarded as key to preparations for the 2027 general elections.
A separate notice from the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, indicated that the directive followed instructions from the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
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“All Distinguished Senators are kindly requested to note and reschedule their engagements accordingly to enable them attend, as very crucial decisions will be taken on national issues during the session,” the notice stated.
Similarly, the House of Representatives confirmed its resumption through its spokesman, Akin Rotimi, noting that the emergency sitting was necessitated by the recent release of the 2027 general election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
According to the House, the session will focus on legislative matters arising from the announcement, citing the constitutional importance of timely intervention by lawmakers.
“The House of Representatives will reconvene for an emergency sitting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to review matters arising from the recent announcement of the 2027 General Election timetable,” the statement noted, stressing that deliberations would align with its constitutional responsibilities.
Originally, the Senate had scheduled its resumption for February 24 after a short recess for oversight on the 2026 budget, while the House planned to return on February 17. However, the coordinated resumption underscores the urgency of addressing electoral reforms ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Reports further indicate that the conference committee on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill may convene on Monday to harmonise positions from both chambers.
Earlier, Senate President Akpabio disclosed that the National Assembly was working within a tight timeframe to transmit the harmonised bill to Bola Tinubu for assent.
He reiterated that lawmakers are committed to concluding work on the legislation promptly to allow sufficient time for presidential consideration before the build-up to the 2027 general elections.