The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to promptly and effectively investigate members of the Senate allegedly involved in removing provisions on electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act amendment Bill during plenary.Â
SERAP claims the removal occurred after a majority of senators had voted for the provisions and without debate on the proposed change.
SERAP also urged the Bureau to investigate members of the National Assembly and executive officials allegedly linked to alterations of the Tax Reform Bills that resulted in reported discrepancies between the harmonised versions passed by the 10th National Assembly and the copies signed into law and gazetted by the Federal Government.
The petition, dated 7 February 2026 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, was sent to the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello.
The group alleged that the processes leading to the passage of the Electoral Act amendment Bill and the signing into law of the Tax Reform laws were marked by alterations to Bill provisions without debate and due process, as well as changes to the passed Tax Reform Bills without the approval of the National Assembly. It further alleged that certain amendments may have been introduced or removed to serve private or political interests rather than the public interest.
According to SERAP, information available to it indicates that certain senators allegedly removed provisions on electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act amendment Bill after the majority had voted for their inclusion and without debate on their removal. It also cited claims by the National Assembly of unlawful alterations and material differences between tax reform bills passed by the legislature and the versions gazetted by the Federal Government.
Citing section 15(5) of the Constitution, SERAP said public institutions are mandated to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power, including in the lawmaking process. It also referenced Paragraph 12 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, which provides that allegations of breach shall be made to the Code of Conduct Bureau.
SERAP argued that the alleged alterations raise questions about the legality and legitimacy of both the lawmaking process and the versions of the tax laws circulated by the Federal Ministry of Information.
The organisation asked the Code of Conduct Bureau to register the petition as a formal complaint and to investigate the conduct of the lawmakers and executive officials involved; examine whether inducements, benefits or promises were offered or received; determine whether the conduct amounted to abuse of legislative power, conflict of interest or violation of due process; refer any substantiated violations to the Code of Conduct Tribunal; and take steps to uphold the principle that public office is a public trust.
The organisation requested that the Bureau consider the complaint within seven days of receipt or publication, failing which SERAP said it would consider legal action to compel compliance in the public interest.
