By Joy Yesufu
The Senate has announced plans to reconvene for an emergency plenary sitting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, amid mounting controversy over recent amendments to the Electoral Act.
The decision was disclosed on Sunday in a statement signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, confirming that all senators have been directed to attend the session.
“The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has directed the reconvening of plenary for an emergency sitting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026,” the statement read.
The statement added that proceedings would commence at 12 noon.
The emergency sitting 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 polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing (IReV) portal mandatory and real-time.
Instead, lawmakers retained the existing discretionary provision, which allows electronic transmission of results only after votes have been counted and publicly announced at polling units.
The Senate’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from civil society organisations and opposition figures, who described the rejection of the clause as a setback to electoral transparency and democratic accountability.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has defended the chamber’s action, insisting that the legislature did not oppose electronic transmission of results. Speaking at a public event, Akpabio maintained that the Senate would not succumb to intimidation or public pressure.
Tuesday’s emergency session is widely expected to focus on the contentious amendment, with indications that the Senate may reconsider its earlier decision in response to public backlash and potential legal challenges, including threats of litigation by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana.
The outcome of the sitting could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s electoral framework, particularly the balance between safeguarding the integrity of elections and strengthening the use of verifiable voting technology.
