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Nigeria’s democracy is facing a critical and time-sensitive threat as the Senate remains on recess despite the urgent need to pass the 2025 Electoral Bill. Civil society organisations and pro-democracy advocates are raising an alarm and calling on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to immediately reconvene the Senate and prioritise the passage of this essential legislation.
Under the current Electoral Act, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is mandated to issue the Notice of Election one year before the scheduled date. This deadline falls in February 2025. If the amendment bill is not passed before the notice is released, INEC will be legally compelled to conduct Nigeria’s next general elections under the outdated and flawed 2022 framework. This would compromise urgently needed reforms and undermine public trust in the electoral process.
The 2025 Electoral bill contains some of the most transformative electoral provisions Nigeria has seen in recent years, including the early release of INEC funding for timely preparation, mandatory audited accounts by INEC, the NIN requirement for voter registration to ensure a cleaner voter register, clear election timelines, the introduction of early voting and expanded voting rights for inmates. These reforms are crucial for improving transparency, reducing logistical failures, and strengthening the integrity of the election process.
Despite the bill’s national importance, the Senate proceeded on recess until January 27, leaving only a narrow window to debate, harmonise, pass, and transmit the bill for presidential assent. This lack of urgency stands in sharp contrast to the speed with which the Senate passed other bills, including the National Anthem Bill and several tax-related bills, demonstrating that swift legislative action is possible when the political class prioritises it.
With a legal deadline weeks away and the credibility of the 2025 election cycle at stake, AdvoKC Foundation urgently call on the Senate to cut short its recess and resume immediately. Any further delay risks derailing key electoral improvements, weakening INEC’s readiness, and eroding the confidence of Nigerians in the fairness and transparency of future elections.
Nigeria cannot afford another election cycle plagued by preventable logistical crises, legal ambiguities, or public distrust. The Senate must act now.
We urge Senate President Akpabio and the leadership of the 10th National Assembly to reconvene without delay and pass the 2025 Electoral Act Amendment Bill in the interest of our democracy.
The nation is watching. The responsibility lies with the Senate.