Chaos In The Chamber: Lawmakers Protest As Speaker Approves Review Of Controversial Electoral Act Bill

The House of Representatives on Tuesday erupted into a rowdy session over a motion seeking to rescind the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025, which the chamber had initially passed in December of last year.

The uproar began as lawmakers reconvened for an emergency sitting focused on electoral matters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Presiding over the session, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas commended members who had traveled from outside Abuja to participate, describing the meeting as a crucial national assignment. He emphasized that the sole agenda of the sitting was the rescission and recommittal of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

“The issues before us will define the elections of 2027 and give a clear vision of what needs to be done,” Abbas stated, stressing the urgency of revisiting certain provisions previously approved by the House.

Motion to Rescind the Bill

The process began with a motion introduced by Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, who invoked Order Nine, Rule 6 of the House Standing Orders to seek the bill’s rescission.

Waive recalled that while the Electoral Act Amendment Bill was passed in December 2025, a technical committee—including leadership from both chambers, members of the conference committee, clerks of the Senate and House, and legal drafters—later met to harmonize the legislation.

The review, he explained, revealed inconsistencies and unintended consequences in some provisions, creating the need for further legislative scrutiny. He stressed that Nigeria’s electoral laws must ensure “maximum participation, fairness, inclusivity, administrative efficiency, and public confidence in the electoral system.”

“The House resolves to rescind its decision on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025 and recommit the bill to the Committee of the Whole for consideration,” Waive concluded.

The motion was seconded by Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, who supported a fresh review of the bill.

Uproar on the Floor

Tension escalated when the Speaker put the motion to a voice vote. Despite numerous lawmakers shouting “nay,” Abbas ruled in favor of the “ayes” and struck the gavel, sparking loud protests and a chaotic atmosphere in the chamber.

The disruption briefly halted proceedings, prompting the Speaker to call a closed-door session to restore calm and allow for further deliberation. Lawmakers subsequently moved into an executive session, with discussions on the bill continuing behind closed doors. The outcome of these talks is expected to significantly shape preparations for the 2027 general elections.