The Nigerian House of Representatives has taken a significant step toward allowing independent candidates to run for elections. On Thursday, the House passed a bill amending the 1999 Constitution for the first reading.
This proposed law, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Allow for the Participation of Candidates Who Are Not Sponsored by Political Parties in the Presidential, Governorship, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and Local Government Council Elections,” seeks to expand electoral options beyond political party-sponsored candidates.
The bill, sponsored by Akin Rotimi, the spokesperson for the House and representative of the Ikole-Oye Federal Constituency in Ekiti State, aims to amend crucial sections of the Constitution, specifically sections 7, 65, 106, 131, 177, and 221.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the House of Representatives assured the public of its commitment to quickly passing the 2025 Appropriation Bill. “We are resolved to accelerate the passage of the Appropriation Bill and the Whistleblower Protection Bill to ensure good governance and strengthen national security,” Rotimi said in a statement issued earlier in the week.
The legislative priorities for the second year of the 10th Assembly were also outlined in the statement, with a particular focus on improving governance and security.
