The Senate is convening an emergency plenary session today, Tuesday, February 10, 2026, as fierce public outrage continues to build over its controversial amendments to the Electoral Act — most notably the removal of the clause requiring real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The extraordinary sitting follows less than a week after the Senate passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026. It comes in direct response to intense pressure from civil society groups, opposition leaders, labour unions, professional bodies, regional stakeholders, and youth movements all demanding clear answers and reversal.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio is expected to preside over the session.
The reconvening was officially announced on Sunday in a statement signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo.
“The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has directed the reconvening of plenary for an emergency sitting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026,” the statement read.
Plenary is scheduled to commence at 12 noon.
The Upper Chamber is currently operating with only 106 senators after losing two members to death in the past six months — Senator Okechukwu Ezea of Enugu State and Senator Godiya Akwashiki of Nasarawa State — while Senator Jimoh Ibrahim vacated his seat following his appointment as ambassador-designate by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The emergency session was triggered by widespread backlash against the deletion of the word “real-time” from provisions on electronic transmission of election results. Although Senate leaders insist electronic transmission has not been fully rejected, critics warn that removing “real-time” creates dangerous ambiguity and opens the door to post-election manipulation.
According to The PUNCH, several senators — particularly those on the Harmonisation Committee — have faced severe personal backlash after their phone numbers were leaked and widely circulated on social media, resulting in a flood of angry calls, abusive messages, and online harassment.
“The reactions were unpredictable. Many were laying curses and asking them, ‘How do you sleep at night after this action?’” a National Assembly source said.
Some lawmakers reportedly switched off their phones to escape the relentless criticism.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has escalated the situation by threatening nationwide protests and potential election boycotts unless the Senate clearly reinstates mandatory electronic transmission of results. The union accused the Senate of sowing confusion and undermining public confidence in the electoral process through contradictory explanations.
Adding to the pressure, a coalition of political activists under the Movement for Credible Elections staged a protest in Abuja on Monday under the banner “Occupy NASS,” demanding that the Senate immediately reverse the controversial decision.
Today’s emergency plenary is widely expected to decide whether the Senate will revisit key aspects of the amendment or stand firm on its earlier position.
