The Nigerian Senate held a closed-door executive session on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to deliberate on the committee report concerning the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026.

The session, which lasted several hours behind closed doors, allowed senators to scrutinize sensitive and contentious aspects of the proposed amendments to Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections. This followed earlier deferrals and the constitution of a seven-member ad hoc committee last week to harmonize divergent views expressed during previous discussions.

The closed session came as the upper chamber resumed consideration of the bill amid growing public pressure and criticism from civil society organizations, legal experts, and stakeholders who have accused the Senate of unnecessary delays that could jeopardize timely implementation of reforms and undermine election credibility.

Key issues reportedly under review include provisions on electronic transmission of results, stricter penalties for electoral offenses such as vote-buying, voting rights for certain categories of citizens, and sanctions against financial inducement in party processes—though specific details remain undisclosed due to the executive nature of the deliberations.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the proceedings, with the chamber expected to reconvene in open plenary later to potentially receive updates, proceed to clause-by-clause debate, or adopt recommendations from prior committee work.

The bill, which seeks to repeal and re-enact the Electoral Act to address gaps observed in previous elections, has already passed through the House of Representatives in late 2025, heightening urgency for the Senate to align and transmit a harmonized version to President Bola Tinubu for assent well before critical INEC timelines for the 2027 polls.

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, JCA, as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The confirmation took place during plenary on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, following President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of the jurist last week to fill a vacancy on the apex court bench left by the retirement of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

The Senate unanimously adopted the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Niyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central), after screening the nominee. Justice Oyewole was commended for his extensive judicial experience, integrity, and competence.

Before this elevation, Justice Oyewole served as Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division. Born on May 13, 1965, in Ila-Orangun Local Government Area of Osun State, he began his judicial career as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on May 22, 2001, before progressing to the Court of Appeal.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, had recommended Justice Oyewole for the position at its 110th meeting on January 13, 2026, alongside 35 other judicial appointments across various courts.

This confirmation brings the Supreme Court back to its full constitutional strength of 21 Justices and enhances the court’s capacity to handle the nation’s highest appellate cases.

The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to urgently enforce the availability of snake anti-venoms and other life-saving antidotes in hospitals nationwide, following the tragic death of Abuja-based singer Ifunanya Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah.Nwangene, a 26-year-old rising star who gained prominence after appearing on

The Voice Nigeria in 2021, died on January 31, 2026, after being bitten by a snake (reportedly a cobra) at her residence in Lugbe, Abuja. Reports indicate she was rushed to multiple hospitals but succumbed due to delays reportedly linked to the unavailability of anti-venom at the facilities.

Her death sparked widespread grief in Nigeria’s music community and renewed public concern over gaps in emergency medical preparedness.

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Senate adopted a motion sponsored by Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule (APC, Lagos West), titled “Urgent Need for the Federal and State Governments to Ensure Adequate Stocking, Availability, and Access to Life-Saving Antidotes and Emergency Medicines in Public and Private Hospitals Across Nigeria.

”Presenting the motion, Senator Adebule highlighted the rising incidence of medical emergencies in the country, including snakebites, scorpion stings, poisoning, drug overdoses, and other envenomations.

She emphasized that these cases demand immediate administration of specific antidotes to avert preventable fatalities, as tragically illustrated by Nwangene’s case.

Lawmakers described the incident as exposing serious deficiencies in emergency readiness, noting that many public and private hospitals either fail to stock essential antidotes like anti-venoms or maintain insufficient supplies, leading to treatment delays, patient referrals, and avoidable deaths.

In its resolutions, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Health to promptly develop and enforce national guidelines mandating minimum stock levels of snake anti-venoms, other critical antidotes, and emergency medicines in designated hospitals across the country.

The chamber further called on the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to prioritize the procurement, quality assurance, proper storage, and nationwide distribution of safe, effective, and affordable anti-venoms—particularly in high-risk areas.

Additionally, the Senate directed state governments, through their Ministries of Health and Hospital Management Boards, to immediately audit public and private hospitals in their jurisdictions to verify compliance with antidote-stocking and emergency preparedness standards.

In a solemn moment, senators observed a minute’s silence in honor of the late Nanyah, paying tribute to her promising talent and life cut short at the age of 26.