The Nigerian Senate has ruled out any amendment to the Electoral Act 2026 before the 2027 general elections, insisting that lawmakers will only consider possible changes after the polls.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said the National Assembly had concluded the legislative process and would not reopen the law while political parties were preparing for the forthcoming elections.
Adaramodu explained that any review of the legislation would depend on its implementation during the 2027 elections and whether concerns emerge that justify amendments.
His position follows a recent Supreme Court judgment that overturned an earlier Court of Appeal decision invalidating key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 relating to political party membership registers and candidate nomination procedures.
The ruling has renewed debate over the legal requirements political parties must satisfy when compiling membership records and selecting candidates for elective positions.
Why Senate Will Not Amend Electoral Act Before 2027 Elections
Speaking in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Adaramodu maintained that the Electoral Act 2026 was passed specifically to provide the legal framework for the 2027 general elections.
He said lawmakers would not consider reopening the legislation until after the elections, although petitions and requests for amendments could still be submitted to the National Assembly.
According to the senator, the legislative process has been completed, and political parties are already relying on the existing provisions to prepare their candidates for the forthcoming polls.
He argued that changing the rules at this stage could create uncertainty and disrupt preparations by political parties that had already commenced their nomination processes.
Adaramodu questioned the rationale behind introducing new electoral rules after parties had begun producing candidates for the elections.
He maintained that the Senate and the wider National Assembly would not replace or revise the existing legislation before the 2027 general elections.
The senator’s position suggests that the current legal framework will remain the basis for party membership registration and candidate nomination, subject to applicable judicial decisions and other lawful processes.
Senate Says Petitions Can Still Be Submitted
Despite ruling out an immediate amendment, Adaramodu said individuals and groups with objections to the Electoral Act 2026 could submit petitions to the Senate.
He explained that lawmakers could consider the concerns after the elections to determine whether changes to the legislation would be necessary.
The Senate’s position effectively postpones any legislative review of the disputed provisions until after the 2027 polls, allowing political parties to continue their preparations under the existing rules.
The debate has attracted renewed attention following the Supreme Court’s decision to restore provisions that had previously been declared unconstitutional by the Court of Appeal.
Supreme Court Restores Disputed Electoral Act Provisions
The Supreme Court delivered its judgment on September 24, in an appeal filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against the Court of Appeal’s decision on the disputed provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
A seven-member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro set aside the appellate court’s judgment and restored the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had dismissed a legal challenge brought by the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The dispute centred on provisions governing political party membership registers and the procedures parties must follow when selecting candidates for elective offices.
The Zenith Labour Party had challenged the provisions, arguing that they interfered with the constitutional powers of political parties to manage their internal affairs and nominate candidates.
On May 5, 2026, the Federal High Court dismissed the party’s suit. The ZLP subsequently appealed the decision.
On July 16, the Court of Appeal ruled against the disputed provisions, declaring them unconstitutional. The decision prompted INEC to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the appellate court’s ruling.
The electoral commission argued that the provisions should remain in force as part of the legal framework regulating political party activities and candidate selection.
In its final judgment, the Supreme Court upheld INEC’s appeal, set aside the Court of Appeal’s decision and awarded N2 million in costs against the Zenith Labour Party.
The ruling restored the disputed provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and removed the legal setback created by the appellate court’s earlier judgment.
What the Ruling Means for the 2027 General Elections
The Supreme Court’s decision and the Senate’s position have significant implications for political parties preparing for the 2027 general elections.
With the disputed provisions restored and the Senate ruling out amendments before the polls, parties will have to plan their membership registration and candidate nomination activities around the existing electoral framework.
The developments also underscore the importance of compliance with electoral laws as political parties prepare to select candidates for elective offices.
Although the Senate has indicated that it will not reopen the law before the elections, Adaramodu’s comments leave room for lawmakers to consider petitions and possible reforms after the polls.
For now, the National Assembly’s position is that the Electoral Act 2026 will remain in place for the 2027 general elections, while any proposed changes will be considered after the electoral process has been completed.