Electoral Act Amendment: Akpabio Raises Concerns Over 2019 Elections

Efforts to amend the 2022 Electoral Act faced delays in the Senate on Thursday as plenary sessions witnessed intense debate and disagreement among lawmakers. The legislative process, which began with a lead presentation by Senator Simon Lalong (Plateau South), chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, encountered resistance during the general discussion, stalling progress on the proposed amendments.

Amid the debates, Senate President Godswill Akpabio revisited the 2019 general elections, highlighting what he described as personal electoral injustice during his bid for the Akwa Ibom West Senatorial seat.

Akpabio noted that while the returning officer at the time, Peter Ogban, faced prosecution and imprisonment for electoral misconduct, the then Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, who the Senate President argued was largely responsible for the irregularities, was never held accountable.

The remarks underscored lingering concerns about accountability in the conduct of past elections, and the Senate chose to step down consideration of the Electoral Act Amendment bill to a later legislative day to allow for further consultation and review.

The proposed amendments to the Electoral Act are intended to address gaps in Nigeria’s electoral framework, including issues around transparency, voter verification, and the conduct of returning officers. However, disagreements among senators on the specifics of the changes have continued to slow progress.

Observers say the delay highlights the ongoing challenges in reconciling differing political interests within the legislature, especially when historical grievances and alleged irregularities are raised. The Senate’s decision to postpone further consideration reflects the need for additional discussions to build consensus before the bill can move forward.

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Akpabio’s intervention in the debate has brought renewed focus to the 2019 elections, which remain a point of contention in Nigerian politics. By raising his personal experience as an example, the Senate President emphasized the importance of ensuring that electoral reforms are implemented fairly and that those responsible for misconduct are appropriately held accountable.

The bill will return to the floor on a later date, with senators expected to continue deliberations and seek ways to reconcile competing viewpoints. Lawmakers, legal experts, and civil society groups will be closely monitoring the process, given the potential impact of the amendments on the credibility of future elections.