The House of Representatives has introduced a landmark proposal to hold all general elections in Nigeria on a single day beginning in 2027. The move is part of a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s electoral framework, contained in the newly proposed 2025 Electoral Bill.
Titled “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Electoral Act No. 13, 2022 and to Enact the Electoral Act 2025,” the legislation seeks to repeal the current Electoral Act and replace it with new provisions governing the conduct of federal, state, and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elections.
One of the bill’s key provisions is the consolidation of presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and state assembly elections into a single-day vote, to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 120 days before the expiration of the current officeholders’ terms.
The bill also proposes a 90-day deadline for the conclusion of all post-election petitions, aimed at accelerating the resolution of electoral disputes.
To minimize the frequency and cost of by-elections—often triggered by the death or resignation of lawmakers—the bill recommends that political parties be allowed to directly nominate replacements for their deceased or departed members, thereby eliminating the need for fresh elections in such instances.
In a move expected to generate significant debate, the proposed legislation raises campaign expenditure limits across all elective offices. Under the new provisions:
Presidential candidates may spend up to ₦10 billion
Governorship candidates: ₦3 billion
Senate: ₦500 million
House of Representatives: ₦250 million
State assembly and local government chairmanship: ₦30 million
Councillorship: ₦10 million
Furthermore, political associations applying for registration as parties would be required to pay a non-refundable fee of ₦50 million. The bill also sets a donation ceiling, barring individuals or organizations from contributing more than ₦500 million to any candidate’s campaign.
Reactions to the bill have been mixed. Proponents argue that a unified election day would streamline logistics, cut costs, and improve voter turnout. However, critics caution that significantly raising campaign finance thresholds could tilt the playing field in favor of wealthier candidates and undermine fair competition.
The bill is currently under deliberation at the National Assembly, with public hearings expected in the coming weeks. If passed, the reforms could significantly reshape Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This is a developing story. More updates will follow as the legislative process continues.
