Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has announced that the National Assembly will complete its amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 by December 2025, ensuring the revised law governs the 2027 general elections.
Bamidele’s statement on Tuesday followed the Senate’s receipt of President Bola Tinubu’s request to confirm Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Explaining the legislative timeline, Bamidele cited lessons from the previous administration’s experience with electoral reform. “The only reason the previous administration did not sign the last aspect of the Electoral Bill in 2022 was because it was transmitted to the Presidency late,” he stated.
The Senate Leader emphasized that the current process would avoid a repeat of this scenario. “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 affirmed.
Addressing opposition criticism, Bamidele characterized it as a normal aspect of democratic politics. “No matter how well a government is performing, the opposition will never agree that the government is doing well because they too are plotting to reclaim the presidency,” he remarked.
He affirmed that the 10th National Assembly’s commitment to its legislative agenda, which for its third year will prioritize the Electoral Act amendment and constitutional review alongside other key national issues.
Leave a comment