The recent amendment to the recently signed 2026 Electoral Act where the House of Representatives proposed a N10 million fine or two years imprisonment for anybody who is a member of more than one political party has become a subject of discussion in political circles.
According to political pundits, the move raises fresh concerns about the preparedness and willingness of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to provide a level playing field for all political actors.
The presence of a level playing field, according to analysts, would be one of the preconditions for free, fair and credible elections in 2027, while its absence would present a contrary situation.
Recall that the lower legislative chamber of the National Assembly yesterday passed a new amendment to the Electoral Act 2026, which was signed into law just last month by President Tinubu.
The fresh amendment, which was taken through first and second reading as well as committee consideration and third reading at plenary, yesterday, introduced three new clauses to Section 77 of the Electoral Act, which deals with membership of political parties.
The proposed legislation prescribed a fine of N10 million and a maximum of two years imprisonment for anyone found guilty of belonging to more than one political party at the same time, as well as the loss of membership of both parties.
The legislation, sponsored by the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, states that, “A person shall not be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time.
“Where it is established that a person is registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time, such dual membership shall be void and the person shall cease to be recognised as a valid member of any political party pending regularisation, in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the constitution of the political party concerned.
“A person who knowingly registers or maintains membership in more than one political party at the same time commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N10 million or imprisonment for a term of two years or both.”
The proposal immediately created a sharp division among the lawmakers, While some lawmakers threw their weight behind it and some strongly kicked against it, others called for caution.
Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, Jonathan Gaza, while expressing support for the bill, said it would be mischievous for anyone to register as a member of two political parties.
However, the chairman, House Committee on University Education, Abubakar Fulata, said the proposed alteration was seemingly in conflict with Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He said: “This proposed amendment seems to be in contravention of Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which guarantees the freedom of association at any time.
“Instead of denying the membership of two parties, I think we should recommend that you be limited to only one. Denying him the freedom to associate with all the political parties to which he might have belonged is a contravention of his right under Section 40 of the Constitution.”
The deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary, in his intervention, said that individuals should identify with a political party that suits their ideologies, rather than registering in multiple political parties, insisting that dual party membership was ‘fraudulent misrepresentation.’
