ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- As debates continue to trail the Senate’s decision on the electronic transmission of election results, the Red Chamber has fixed an emergency plenary session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
The emergency sitting was convened at the instance of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, according to a notice issued on Sunday by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo.
In the memo addressed to lawmakers, Odo directed all senators to reconvene at the National Assembly complex by noon.
“I am directed by His Excellency, the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, to inform all Distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that an Emergency Sitting of the Senate has been scheduled to hold as follows: Date: Tuesday, 10th February, 2026. Time: 12:00 Noon. Venue: Senate Chamber,” the notice read.
The clerk urged full attendance, adding that any inconvenience arising from the sudden sitting was regretted.
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“All inconveniences this will cause to Distinguished Senators are highly regretted, please,” the memo stated.
Although no official reason was given for the emergency session, the development comes against the backdrop of intense public debate and criticism following the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026.
Last week, the Senate passed the bill through third reading but retained the provision on result transmission as contained in the 2022 Electoral Act, rejecting proposals that sought to mandate real-time electronic transmission of results.
Specifically, lawmakers retained Clause 60(3) of the existing law, which allows the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit election results “in a manner prescribed by the Commission.”
The Red Chamber also rejected a proposed 10-year ban on vote-buying, opting instead to retain the existing penalties of fines and jail terms.
Following the decision, the Senate adjourned plenary, sparking outrage from sections of the public, labour groups and civil society organisations.