By Nathaniel Zacchaeus and Chukwudi Obasi, Abuja
The Senate yesterday passed, for a second reading, a bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022 by introducing same-day elections nationwide.
Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central Senatorial District, sponsored the bill.
It aims to cut election costs, reduce the campaign period, and allow elected officeholders to serve as ad hoc delegates in party congresses.
Leading the debate on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB.701), Mustapha decried the rising financial burden of elections on the government.
He stated that the cost of general elections had surged from N1.5bn in 1999 to N350bn in 2023.
He described the trend as unsustainable and a significant drain on national resources.
Mustapha said, “The current staggered election process is expensive and inefficient. Conducting all elections on the same day will save costs, boost voter participation, and reduce political tension.”
He said Nigeria must learn from countries like the United States, India, and Brazil, which have successfully implemented same-day elections, leading to a more streamlined and cost-effective electoral process.
The bill also proposes a shorter campaign period to ease the financial burden on political parties, candidates, and the government.
Mustapha noted that prolonged campaigns disrupt governance and fuel unnecessary political tension.
Another key amendment in the bill allows elected officeholders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, National and State Assembly members, and Local Government chairmen, to serve as ad hoc delegates in their respective party congresses.
He said the current exclusion of these officials was an “oversight” that needed to be corrected.
Senators, during the debate, expressed support for the bill.
They noted that consolidating elections into a single day will curb electoral malpractice, reduce voter fatigue, and enhance credibility in the electoral process.
They also believe it will minimise disruptions to governance caused by staggered elections.
However, while the proposal received backing from an overwhelming majority of lawmakers, others raised fears about the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ‘s capacity to manage such an exercise.
In his contribution, Senator Adams Oshiomhole noted that the National Assembly should ensure that the INEC was well prepared for the enormous task.
He said, “While the bill has good intentions, we must ensure that INEC is adequately prepared for the enormous task of conducting elections for all levels of government in one day.”
He also bemoaned the possibility of printing several ballot papers in a day, which would create confusion, especially among the illiterate electorates.
However, Mustapha said that the bill would introduce one of the most significant electoral reforms in Nigeria’s history if passed.
He insisted it would cut costs and deepen democracy by encouraging more citizen participation and reducing economic losses linked to prolonged election cycles.
The Senate is expected to subject the bill to further scrutiny in the coming weeks, with stakeholders closely watching the legislative process to see if Nigeria will finally adopt a more efficient election model.
*House advances Bill to cap presidential, gubernatorial age at 60
The House of Representatives passed for second reading a bill seeking to bar individuals above 60 from contesting for the offices of President and Governor in Nigeria.
Sponsored by Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, the bill proposes amendments to the 1999 Constitution to revise eligibility criteria for these high-ranking political positions.
If enacted, the legislation will require presidential and gubernatorial candidates to be no older than 60 when contesting an election.
It also stipulates that candidates must possess at least a Bachelor’s degree.
The bill specifically seeks to amend Section 131 of the Constitution to introduce the age restriction for presidential candidates.
In contrast, Section 177 would be adjusted to apply the exact requirement to those seeking governorship positions.
Alongside the age-limit bill, the House passed several other significant bills for second reading. One is the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Bill, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Ikenga Ugochinyere.
This bill seeks to upgrade the Alvan Ikoku College of Education in Imo State to a federal university, enhancing access to higher education and teacher training.
The House also considered the Bill for the creation of Ideato West Local Government Area, which proposes establishing a new LGA in Imo State to improve administrative efficiency and spur development in the region.
Another notable bill aims to ensure inclusivity in governance by mandating the inclusion of youths and persons with disabilities in political appointments.
Also sponsored by Ugochinyere, the bill seeks to institutionalise political representation for marginalised groups, promoting broader participation in leadership.
To boost economic activity, the House deliberated on a bill seeking to move trade and commerce to the Concurrent Legislative List. If passed, the legislation would allow federal and state governments to regulate trade and commerce, granting states more autonomy in economic policy-making.
Lawmakers also considered the Reserved Seats for Women in National and State Assemblies Bill, sponsored by Kafilat Ogbara.
This proposed legislation seeks to increase female representation in legislative bodies by reserving a certain number of seats for women, ensuring more excellent gender balance in governance.
Judicial reforms were also a focal point in yesterday’s session.
The timelines for the Justice Administration Bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, seek to expedite judicial processes by setting time limits for civil and criminal cases.
Another judicial reform bill, sponsored by Bello Kaoje, proposes increasing the number of justices in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal to enhance efficiency in case adjudication.
The House further considered bills to create new states, including a proposal to establish Wan State in the North Central region and Gobir State in the Northwest.
These bills reflect ongoing efforts to restructure Nigeria’s governance framework to accommodate more excellent regional representation demands.
With these legislative moves, the House of Representatives is reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape by promoting youth inclusion in leadership, advancing gender representation, strengthening economic policy, and enhancing judicial efficiency.
