Controversial Amendments

• Nigeria's Senate engaged in heated drama over amendments to its Standing Orders, attempting to impose stricter eligibility rules for the Senate Presidency to favor insiders ahead of 2027 elections. • The proposed changes, criticized as exclusionary by figures like Adams Oshiomhole, faced immediate legal scrutiny for constitutional contradictions, prompting an embarrassing U-turn. • Critics argue the episode highlights misplaced priorities amid national economic hardship, diverting focus from pressing public issues.

• The Nigerian Senate on May 8, 2026, reversed controversial amendments to its Standing Orders concerning the election of presiding officers due to concerns over constitutional inconsistencies. • It passed for second reading a bill sponsored by Senator Simon Bako Lalong to amend the Electoral Act 2026, assigning Federal High Court original jurisdiction over pre-election disputes for National Assembly, governorship, and state assembly elections, with appeals to the Court of Appeal. • The Senate approved the N2.285 trillion 2026 Federal Capital Territory budget, allocating N1.741 trillion for capital projects to boost infrastructure in Abuja and satellite communities.