February 6, 2026 – In a strategic move to break the legislative deadlock over the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, the Leadership of the House of Representatives has announced a comprehensive restructuring of its Conference Committee.
The overhaul, aimed at “strengthening the Committee’s capacity,” is designed to expedite the harmonization of conflicting versions of the bill passed by the House and the Senate. The move signals a renewed urgency to finalize the legal framework governing Nigeria’s future elections.
In a formal correspondence dated Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Clerk to the House, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, Esq., unveiled the nine-member team selected to lead the negotiations. The revised committee is chaired by Rep. Adebayo Balogun and features a mix of veteran lawmakers and technical experts:
- Rep. Adebayo Balogun, Chairman
- Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, Member
- Rep. Fred Agbedi, Member
- Rep. Sada Soli, Member
- Rep. Ahmadu Jaha, Member
- Rep. Igariwey Iduma Enwo, Member
- Rep. Saidu Musa Abdullahi, Member
- Rep. Dr. Zainab Gimba, Member
- Rep. Dr. Awaji-Inombek D. Abiante, Member
The primary mandate of the Balogun-led committee is to meet with its Senate counterparts to resolve “differing provisions” within the current draft. This reconciliation process is the final hurdle before the bill can be presented for a final vote and subsequent presidential assent.
A spokesperson for the House emphasized that this review underscores the lower chamber’s dedication to electoral reforms that “enhance transparency, credibility, and public confidence” in the nation’s democratic institutions.
With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, stakeholders view the swift resolution of these legislative differences as a critical litmus test for the National Assembly’s commitment to reform.
