Nigeria’s Senate has temporarily suspended deliberations on the proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, citing the need for deeper review and wider consultations on contentious provisions contained in the bill.
The decision was taken during plenary, with Senate leadership explaining that the pause would allow lawmakers to thoroughly examine the proposed changes and ensure that any amendments to the nation’s electoral framework are carefully considered and aligned with democratic best practices.
The suspension comes amid growing pressure from the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, which has called for the immediate removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN). The council’s demand is reportedly based on concerns over the conduct of elections under the current leadership of the electoral body.
Professor Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and respected legal scholar, was appointed INEC chairman in October 2025 following the expiration of his predecessor’s tenure. His appointment was confirmed by the Senate and he was subsequently sworn in to oversee the nation’s electoral process.
The Shariah council’s call has sparked mixed reactions among political stakeholders and civil society groups, with opinions divided between calls for accountability and warnings against actions that could undermine the independence of INEC.
Meanwhile, the Senate has maintained that the suspension of the Electoral Act debate is purely procedural and not a response to external pressure, stressing that electoral reforms must be handled with caution, transparency, and in the national interest.
As deliberations remain on hold, attention is expected to shift to the outcome of the Senate’s review process and its implications for Nigeria’s evolving electoral landscape.
