National Assembly Plans Electoral Act Amendment to Reinstate Statutory Delegates
The National Assembly has initiated steps to amend the 2022 Electoral Act, aiming to restore the participation of statutory delegates in political party primaries. This development was disclosed by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during a meeting with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) leadership in Abuja.
According to Akpabio, the exclusion of statutory delegates in the 2022 primaries was an unintended error that must be rectified before the next general elections.
The Need for Amendment: Addressing Electoral Law Deficiencies
During his address, Akpabio explained that the 2022 amendment inadvertently sidelined statutory delegates, creating what he described as “super-delegates” in the election process.
“There were defects in the last Electoral Act, and we need to fix them. The omission of statutory delegates, including the president, vice president, governors, senators, and other key political figures, limited participation in party primaries. Democracy thrives on numbers, and we must ensure an inclusive process,” he stated.
Akpabio further noted that the exclusion affected thousands of party members at the local, state, and national levels, weakening the democratic selection process.
Additionally, he pointed out the overreaching power given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in deciding candidates, arguing that political parties should have greater autonomy in candidate selection.
“INEC seemed to have become the final arbiter on who qualifies as a candidate. Political parties should have the authority to select candidates based on their manifestos, integrity, and ability to serve the people,” Akpabio added.
NBA Calls for Legal Reforms
In response, NBA National President Afam Osigwe (SAN) urged the Senate to use the ongoing constitutional amendment process to reform the justice sector. He cited an example of quacks in the legal profession, referencing a case in the Igbosere Magistrate Court in Lagos in the 1990s where a person falsely claimed to be a lawyer.
Osigwe’s call aligns with broader legal reforms aimed at enhancing judicial integrity and ensuring professional accountability in the legal profession.
What’s Next? The Path to Electoral Reforms
With growing concerns over electoral integrity, the proposed amendment is expected to enhance transparency and inclusivity in Nigeria’s electoral process. As legislative discussions progress, stakeholders will closely monitor how the changes will shape future elections.
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