Proceedings at the Nigerian Senate were briefly disrupted on Tuesday after minority lawmakers staged a dramatic walkout from a closed-door session convened to resolve disagreements over the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
The disruption followed mounting tensions around Clauses 51–60 of the bill, which address the contentious issue of electronic transmission of election results. Lawmakers had earlier suspended plenary deliberations after failing to reach consensus on the provisions.
In an effort to break the deadlock, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion for the chamber to enter a closed-door session. The motion was adopted in the afternoon, with senators retreating for private discussions.
However, videos circulated online shortly afterward showed visibly agitated lawmakers exiting the session. In the footage, some members were heard chanting “APC Ole!” as they walked out, a slogan widely interpreted as a protest directed at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Sources within the chamber said the walkout was led by members of the minority caucus, who expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the disputed clauses. The lawmakers reportedly objected to provisions they believed could weaken safeguards around result transmission and electoral transparency.
The Senate leadership did not immediately issue a formal statement on the incident, but insiders indicated that discussions inside the closed session had become heated, particularly over whether electronic transmission of results should be mandatory or subject to contingencies.
Observers said the walkout underscored deep divisions within the upper chamber over reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework. While some senators argue for flexibility to address technical failures, others insist that allowing alternatives to electronic transmission could undermine credibility.
After the interruption, Senate officials moved swiftly to restore order, and plenary later resumed. Deliberations on the amendment bill are expected to continue as lawmakers work toward finalizing key provisions.
Political analysts note that debates over electronic transmission have remained one of the most polarizing aspects of electoral reform, reflecting broader concerns about election integrity, infrastructure limitations, and public trust.
The Electoral Act Amendment Bill seeks to refine existing laws governing voter accreditation, result management, and the deployment of election technology ahead of future polls. Lawmakers say the outcome of the ongoing deliberations will play a critical role in shaping Nigeria’s electoral process.
Despite Tuesday’s dramatic scenes, Senate leaders expressed optimism that consensus could still be achieved through further consultations.
