National Assembly to Conclude Electoral Act Amendment by December 2025 – Bamidele

The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has revealed that the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 will be concluded before December 2025 to ensure its implementation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday following President Bola Tinubu’s request for the Senate to confirm Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

A statement from the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Senate Leader, explained that Amupitan’s nomination was unanimously endorsed by the Council of State last week, after the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu from the commission. President Tinubu has since forwarded the nomination to the Senate for confirmation.

Bamidele outlined the legislative timeline, noting that the amendment process would be completed early to avoid a repeat of the delays that affected the last electoral reforms.

“The only reason the previous administration failed to sign the final amendment to the Electoral Bill in 2022 was because it arrived too close to the elections,” he explained. “This time, we will conclude the process before December 2025 to ensure there is enough time for implementation before 2027.”

Speaking on the ongoing constitutional review exercise, Bamidele who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution expressed optimism about its success. He said the active participation of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures would help achieve broad consensus on national reforms.

“I do not foresee resistance because all key institutions are working in synergy with the National Assembly,” he said. “We will also align the amendment process with global best practices, particularly in domesticating international treaties and agreements.”

Addressing criticisms from opposition parties, Bamidele described them as a natural part of democratic governance. “No matter how well a government performs, the opposition will always find fault because they are also strategising to return to power,” he said. “But our focus remains on rebuilding Nigeria, stabilising the polity, and growing the economy, we will not be distracted.”

The Senate Leader added that the 10th National Assembly’s agenda for its third legislative year would focus on key national priorities, including the Electoral Act amendment, constitutional review, and other critical legislative initiatives.