National Assembly Reconvenes Tomorrow For Crucial Session

The National Assembly has said both chambers will reconvene for plenary at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, for what has been described as a crucial legislative session.

In a statement issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja by the Office of the Clerk, Kamoru Ogunlana, the lawmakers were urged to adjust their schedules to ensure full attendance, as important decisions are expected to be taken during the sitting.

The upper chamber had earlier adjourned for two weeks to allow its standing committees to conduct the 2026 budget defence sessions for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is set to hold an emergency sitting on the same day to deliberate on issues arising from the timetable for the 2027 general elections recently announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement issued by House spokesperson, Hon. Akin Rotimi, the decision for the emergency session was conveyed through an internal memorandum from the Office of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.

The memo highlighted the constitutional and national significance of the development and the need for timely legislative consideration.

INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan, had announced at a press conference that the presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on Saturday, 20th February, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections are scheduled for 6th March, 2027.

According to him, the timetable was released in compliance with the 1999 Constitution and Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the commission to publish notice of elections at least 360 days before the polls.

He further clarified that the tenure of the President, Vice President, governors and deputy governors—except those in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi and Ondo states—will expire on May 28, 2027, while the membership of the National and State Assemblies will be dissolved on June 8, 2027.

The House noted that its emergency sitting will focus on legislative matters connected to the announcement, stressing that all business relating to the development would be treated expeditiously.

“The emergency sitting reflects the resolve of the House to respond promptly to issues with far-reaching implications for the nation’s democratic process. Deliberations will focus on relevant legislative matters connected to the announcement, in line with the constitutional responsibilities of the National Assembly,” the statement read.

The development comes amid ongoing efforts by the lawmakers to amend the Electoral Act, a process that has encountered setbacks within the National Assembly.