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Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele says the ongoing amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 will be completed on or before December 2025, in order to ensure its full implementation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, made the announcement on Tuesday during plenary, shortly after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read President Bola Tinubu’s letter seeking confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Amupitan’s nomination followed the Council of State’s unanimous endorsement last week.
The lawmaker explained that the decision to complete the amendment well before the 2027 polls was to avoid the delays that hindered the final stage of the 2022 Electoral Act under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Between now and December 2025, we will ensure that the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 is concluded so that it will not be too close to the 2027 elections,” Bamidele said.
He recalled that Buhari declined to sign the final correctional bill to the 2022 Act because it arrived at the presidency too close to the last election cycle. “Late former President Muhammadu Buhari said the bill was coming too close to the election and did not want to be misunderstood by the public. That is why the bill was not signed then,” Bamidele explained.
Bamidele, who also serves as Vice-Chairman of the 1999 Constitution Review Committee, expressed optimism about the success of the ongoing constitutional review process, noting that it enjoys strong collaboration from key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures.
He dismissed concerns that the presidency might resist legislative reforms, stressing that “public institutions are working with the National Assembly for the successful review of the 1999 Constitution.” He also assured that the review would reflect global best practices, particularly in the domestication of international treaties and agreements.
Addressing criticisms from opposition parties, Bamidele said such reactions were expected as part of political competition, noting that opposition groups are eager to discredit the government in their quest to regain power.
“Part of what they would love to see is the ruling party in disarray, rejecting correspondences from the presidency. But our focus remains on rebuilding Nigeria, stabilising our polity, and growing our economy. We will not be distracted,” he said.
Bamidele reaffirmed that in its third legislative year, the 10th Senate will prioritise the amendment of the Electoral Act, the review of the 1999 Constitution, and other key legislative reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The post NASS targets December to finalise Electoral Act Amendment appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.
