…Push for Single-Day Elections for All Political Offices
The House of Representatives is advancing efforts to reform Nigeria’s electoral process, with two major constitutional amendment bills passing their second reading on Tuesday.
One seeks to ensure that all election petitions are concluded before winners are sworn into office, while the other proposes the conduct of all elections on the same day.
Resolving Election Petitions Before Swearing-in
The first bill, sponsored by Mansur Soro (Darazo/Ganjuwa, Bauchi) and five other lawmakers, aims to amend Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution to prevent situations where elected officials assume office before legal disputes over their victories are settled.
The bill proposes that all appeals from election tribunals be concluded before the inauguration of the president-elect, vice president-elect, governors-elect, deputy governors-elect, and members-elect of the National and State Assemblies.
It also seeks to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adjust its election timetable to accommodate legal processes.
Over the years, several controversial cases have fuelled calls for this reform.
Notably, in 2020, the Supreme Court nullified Emeka Ihedioha’s victory as governor of Imo State after he had already assumed office, declaring Hope Uzodinma as the rightful winner. Similarly, in Bayelsa State, David Lyon was sacked as governor-elect just a day before his scheduled inauguration, with the apex court declaring Douye Diri the winner instead.
Proponents of the bill argue that allowing candidates to take office while cases challenging their election are still pending gives them undue influence over the judicial process.
Proposal for Simultaneous Elections
In a related development, the House also debated a bill proposing the simultaneous conduct of presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state assembly, and local government elections.
Sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo) and 35 other lawmakers, the bill seeks to amend Section 116 of the Constitution to mandate that all elections be held on the same day, as determined by INEC in accordance with the Electoral Act.
The bill, which was presented by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, was among 39 constitutional amendment bills considered on Tuesday, all aimed at addressing the nation’s political, security, and electoral challenges.
It received overwhelming support from lawmakers and was referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further deliberation.
Ongoing Constitutional Review
The passage of these bills is part of broader efforts by the National Assembly to review the 1999 Constitution.
In February, both chambers of the National Assembly inaugurated special committees on constitutional review, pledging to address past legislative failures and work with other arms of government for a more effective amendment process.
- Nigeria’s Inflation Falls to 18.02% in September - October 16, 2025
- Osimhen Fires Nigeria into 2026 World Cup African Playoffs - October 14, 2025
- FG Approves New Admission Criteria for Tertiary Institutions - October 14, 2025