Akpabio hints at Electoral Act review after lawmakers lose party primaries

Nigeria's National Assembly may revisit the Electoral Act 2026, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio hinting at potential amendments to address unintended consequences for serving lawmakers. Akpabio's remarks followed recent party primaries where several senators and House of Representatives members failed to secure tickets for the 2027 general elections.

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From even the Electoral Act that we passed, you can see not so many people were killed, if any, in many of the states of the federation during these primaries.

Speaking at the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja, Akpabio acknowledged that the Electoral Act had contributed to more peaceful party primaries. However, he noted that certain provisions had inadvertently made experienced legislators "victims" of legislation they themselves enacted. "We shall tinker with the Act again to make sure that we are not the victims of our own actions," he stated, assuring that future legislators would not face similar difficulties in seeking re-election.

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But we shall tinker with the Act again to make sure that we are not the victims of our own actions.

Akpabio also used the occasion to defend the performance of the 10th National Assembly, characterizing it as the most peaceful and productive legislature since Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999. He highlighted significant achievements in lawmaking, constitutional amendments, and economic reforms, emphasizing cooperation with the executive branch. He urged the public to study legislative work before criticizing lawmakers on social media, stating that their efforts were aimed at creating laws for future generations.

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I assure you that we shall tinker with it so that future members and future senators will not have difficulty going back. Because the more people with experience who come back, the more the country benefits from their activities.

Earlier, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen reported that the House had received 2,747 bills since its inauguration in June 2023, the highest number recorded by any previous Assembly.

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Sometimes, before you comment on social media, take time to go through the work we have actually done.