2027: APC, Opposition, Stakeholders Split as Lawmakers Propose Single-Day Polls
- The House of Representatives proposes single-day voting for presidential, national assembly, gubernatorial, and House of Assembly, a grand move to change Nigeria's political landscape
- The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, presented the proposal after consultation with stakeholders across Nigeria's geo-political zones
- Major opposition parties, including the PDP and Labour Party, support the move, citing efficiency benefits, while the APC strongly rejects the move, explaining potential risks
FCT, Abuja - A major bill to amend the 1999 Constitution has sparked fierce debate, proposing that all Nigerian elections be held on a single day in 2027.
Source: Twitter
Major opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, African Democratic Congress, and New Nigeria People’s Party, have endorsed the proposal for single-day elections. In contrast, the ruling APC has voiced strongly against the move, citing potential risks and negative outcomes, as reported by The Punch.
Legit.ng gathered that the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, is driving the proposal as part of a larger effort to amend the constitution, which was built on feedback from zonal consultations held across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria
Upon approval, the proposed amendment would require the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold presidential, governorship, and legislative elections simultaneously, with the strong belief that it would significantly reduce electoral expenses and minimise post-election bandwagon effects.
Opposition supports the proposed amendment
National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, has argued that same-day polls would cut costs and guarantee efficiency, thereby supporting the proposal.
He said, “The costs of elections are too high, just like those of governance. And any reasonable thing to reduce the costs should be looked at.
On concerns over rigging, Johnson dismissed fears, saying,
“If you have all your elections in one day, all your candidates can pool together resources so that the polling unit is properly manned.”
The Labour Party throws its weight behind the proposal. Speaking through its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party said the proposal would eliminate staggered elections and reduce bandwagon effects.
“The Labour Party aligns itself with the position that all elections should be held on the same day. It’s also going to help reduce the cost of funding elections, logistics, and the bandwagon effect," he noted.
The Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, welcomed the idea but warned against manipulation.
“It is a welcome development if it is done with sincerity, clear intent and purpose. There’s no rational reason why we spend over $350 billion conducting elections in this country, where at the end of the day, you don’t get value for the outcome of such votes,” he said.
The ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, also declared support but with a caveat, stating that there is a need to improve INEC logistics.
APGA condemns proposal
APGA spokesman, Ejimofor Okpara, commends the proposal but believes it will be chaotic considering how cumbersome election are in Nigeria.
“As laudable as it sounds, we believe it will be chaotic. Our elections, as they are, already appear too cumbersome, logistics-wise, for INEC. One can only imagine the outlook if these major elections are held in one day.” Okpara explained
APC rejects move
The APC formally slammed the proposal, explaining staggered elections as the better option to keep the functionality and relevance of INEC as a public institution.
Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, warned,
“You’re going to be holding elections at the State Assembly, House of Reps, Senate, governors, and the President. After those four years, INEC now sits back and literally does nothing.” Duru lamented.
He added that staggered polls would keep INEC 'active year-round' and reduce the risk of system collapse.
Stakeholders split over proposed bill
Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, a former INEC Director of Voter Education, has criticised the proposal, recalling a similar initiative in 2003 that was struck out by the courts.
However, prominent lawyers see merit in the idea. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Lekan Ojo, argues that the move is cost-effective but may be very clumsy and overwhelming for electoral officers.
Another SAN, Wale Balogun, was more sceptical about the proposal, stating that inexperience and lack of capacity would undermine the effectiveness of the move.
Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), the move would 'drastically reduce the cost of conducting elections,' though he warned of doubts over INEC’s capacity.
Source: Twitter
Tinubu gets directive on who to appoint next INEC-chair
Legit.ng previously reported that Monday Ubani, a human rights lawyer and activist, has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) comes from the South-South region.
This is as the tenure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the current chairman of INEC, nears its end in October 2025. Recall that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Yakubu in 2015. Yakubu had overseen two general elections since his appointment in 2015.
He emphasised the importance of the INEC chairman's character and background in ensuring the credibility of the 2027 elections. According to Ubani, the ideal candidate should possess qualities such as independence, fairness, truthfulness, high integrity, and strong character. These traits are essential for guaranteeing a proper and unbiased electoral process.
Stakeholders clamour free, fair election in 2027
Legit.ng also reported that as the countdown to Nigeria’s 2027 general election begins, calls for urgent reforms in the country’s electoral and judicial systems are growing louder.
Stakeholders warn that ignoring these structural and constitutional issues may deepen public mistrust of the nation’s democratic process.
Speaking on the matter, constitutional lawyer and public affairs analyst, Barrister Hassan Dotun, said free and fair elections in 2027 are unlikely without a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s foundational legal framework.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
