Bamidele: National Assembly to Complete Electoral Act Amendment Before December 2025

By Iyojo Ameh

The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has assured Nigerians that the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 will be concluded on or before December 2025, adding that the amended law will guide the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, explained that the only reason the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari could not sign the final aspect of the last Electoral Amendment Bill was because it was transmitted late to the Presidency.

He made this known in a statement following the reading of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, seeking confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Tinubu had nominated Professor Amupitan, a Professor of Law, after the Council of State unanimously approved his appointment last Wednesday, following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu. The President thereafter requested the Senate to confirm Amupitan as the head of the nation’s electoral body.

Bamidele reiterated that the previous administration did not sign the final amendment to the Electoral Act in 2022 due to its late transmission to the Presidency. He recalled:
“Before then, we had made our first proposal, which was signed into law. However, when further observations were made, especially regarding the disenfranchisement of statutory delegates, the National Assembly sought to make corrections. The late President Muhammadu Buhari then explained that the bill was coming too close to the elections and that he did not want to be misunderstood by the public. That was why the bill was not signed. Between now and December 2025, we will ensure that the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 is concluded well ahead of the 2027 elections.”

On the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Bamidele expressed confidence that the current process would succeed, citing the active involvement of critical stakeholders, including the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria.

Bamidele, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, dismissed insinuations that the Presidency would resist the National Assembly’s efforts. According to him, “I do not envisage any resistance because public institutions are working in synergy with the National Assembly to ensure a successful review of the 1999 Constitution. Global best practices will also guide this amendment, particularly regarding the domestication of international treaties and agreements.”

Addressing criticisms from the opposition, Bamidele stated that it is natural for opposition parties to discredit the government’s performance, as they are focused on reclaiming power. He said:
“No matter how well a government performs, the opposition will never acknowledge it. They would rather see the ruling party in disarray or at odds with the Presidency. But our focus remains on rebuilding Nigeria, stabilising our polity, and growing our economy, and we will not be distracted from these goals.”

Highlighting the 10th Senate’s priorities for its third legislative year, Bamidele emphasized that the National Assembly has numerous issues to address in this session, notably the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 and the review of the 1999 Constitution, among others.