A major legislative reform aimed at unifying Nigeria’s electoral calendar has stirred political controversy, as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) firmly rejects the proposed Electoral Act 2025.
The bill, championed by Hon. Bayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, seeks to overhaul the current Electoral Act No. 13 of 2022 and drastically reshape how general elections are conducted in Nigeria.
IREPORT247NEWS reports that one of the central provisions of the proposed legislation is the consolidation of Nigeria’s five major elections—the presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship, and State House of Assembly—into a single-day national event starting from the 2027 general elections.
The bill, which recently scaled its second reading in the House of Representatives, is designed to reduce the high cost of electioneering, improve logistical efficiency, and minimise voter fatigue. It mandates the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all federal and state elections simultaneously, thereby eliminating staggered polls which often stretch over weeks or months.
According to Hon. Balogun, the legislation is crafted to “enhance electoral transparency, eliminate undue financial influence, and strengthen the accountability of electoral institutions.” The reform bill also introduces significant legal and financial frameworks intended to regulate Nigeria’s electoral environment more strictly.
Among its key reforms, the bill introduces a N50 million administrative fee for any political association aspiring to register as a political party. It also places strict campaign spending caps—N10 billion for presidential candidates and N3 billion for governorship aspirants—to promote fairness and reduce the influence of money in politics.
The bill outlines firm legal timelines: all general elections must be conducted no earlier than 210 days and no later than 30 days before the end of the tenure of current officeholders. Pre-election cases must be initiated within 14 days, and election petitions filed within 21 days of result declaration. All election petitions are required to be resolved within 90 days, while appeals must be concluded within 60 days.
Notably, the legislation seeks to prevent courts from stopping scheduled elections due to pending litigations—a move intended to protect the sanctity of electoral calendars and prevent judicial bottlenecks.
Reps Propose Single-Day Elections in Landmark Electoral Reform Bill
Several leading opposition parties have welcomed the bill, describing it as a bold and necessary reform to streamline Nigeria’s costly and fragmented electoral process.
The Labour Party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, expressed full support:
“The Labour Party aligns itself with the position that all elections should hold on the same day. It will reduce the cost of funding elections, address logistical challenges, and prevent the bandwagon effect where voters change loyalties based on early election outcomes.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) echoed this sentiment. Timothy Osadolor, PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, said:
“This is a welcome development if pursued with genuine intent. The financial burden of elections in Nigeria is unjustifiable. Spending over $350 billion on elections without delivering credible results is simply outrageous.”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also voiced cautious support. Its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, remarked:
“We support the idea of same-day elections, but INEC must drastically improve its logistics. So far, we’ve seen little indication that INEC is prepared for such a massive operational undertaking.”
Similarly, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) backed the proposal. Spokesman Ladipo Johnson noted:
“The current cost of elections is excessive. Holding all elections in a single day will not only cut costs but also ease the burden on political parties and voters alike.”
In contrast, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the proposal, citing concerns over INEC’s capacity and the sustainability of such an undertaking.
Nze Chidi Duru, APC’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, warned that the reforms would overload INEC: “Conducting elections for the President, Senate, House of Reps, Governors, and State Assemblies in a single day places immense pressure on INEC. Once these elections are over, INEC will have nothing to do for four years. That’s not a sustainable model.”
Some lawmakers within the ruling party have also voiced constitutional concerns. Oluwole Oke, a member representing Osun State, argued that INEC should retain its autonomy in deciding election schedules: “It is not for the legislature to impose election dates. INEC must have the discretion to determine the most efficient and credible timeline for polls.”
As the Electoral Act 2025 advances through the legislative process, the debate reflects deeper tensions between reformist ideals and institutional constraints. While the opposition parties rally behind what they describe as a progressive step toward electoral efficiency, the APC’s rejection signals a looming political showdown over the future of Nigeria’s democratic architecture.