Reps propose single-day elections for president, governors, lawmakers
The House of Representatives has revived a contentious proposal to hold Nigeria’s presidential, governorship, and legislative elections on the same day—a move lawmakers say will cut costs, boost credibility, and increase voter turnout.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas disclosed the plan on Thursday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the European Union.
He explained that the House was already working on constitutional amendments to overhaul Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Like the single-day election, it is to hold the election of the president, National Assembly membership, governorship, and state house of assembly membership elections on the same day,” Mr Abbas said. “In our own thinking, it will help to reduce our electoral process, particularly on the turnout of voters.”
Currently, Nigeria staggers its elections, beginning with the presidential and National Assembly polls, followed by governorship and state assembly contests two weeks later. Critics of the staggered system argue that it heightens political tension, inflates costs, and stretches security resources.
Proponents of the new proposal argue that merging all elections into a single day would reduce logistical bottlenecks, curb manipulation, and strengthen public trust in the electoral process.
Mr Abbas said the House was committed to “far-reaching electoral reforms,” including reserved seats for women and persons with disabilities, financial autonomy, and defined roles for traditional rulers, as well as a single-day election for all tiers of government.
He urged the EU to back the reforms with advocacy and public sensitisation, stressing that approval from state assemblies would also be required.
“We will do all the needful as far as legislation is concerned to enable INEC to have all the necessary tools and provisions to make the 2027 election much better than the 2023 election,” he added.
The National Assembly is currently debating amendments to the 1999 Constitution and is expected to vote on alteration bills later this month. Similar proposals in past assemblies to synchronise elections failed to scale through.
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