Explosive Debate! Tension Rises Over Proposed Punishment For Dual Party Membership

A new amendment to the Electoral Act 2026, which proposes a ₦10 million fine or up to two years’ imprisonment for anyone found to belong to more than one political party, has sparked widespread debate across Nigeria’s political landscape.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The controversial bill, recently passed by the House of Representatives, has split lawmakers and attracted strong criticism from opposition leaders and political commentators. Critics argue that the proposal could infringe on constitutional freedoms and potentially affect the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

The amendment was introduced just weeks after the Electoral Act 2026 was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

During plenary, the House fast-tracked the bill, moving it through first and second readings, committee consideration, and third reading within a single legislative session.

The proposal introduces three additional provisions to Section 77 of the Act, which governs political party membership. Sponsored by the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, the bill seeks to prohibit dual party membership and enforce strict penalties for violations.

Under the proposed law, no individual would be permitted to register with more than one political party simultaneously. Any such membership would automatically be considered invalid, and the individual would cease to be recognised as a legitimate member until proper correction is made.

The amendment further states that knowingly holding membership in multiple parties would constitute an offence, punishable upon conviction by a ₦10 million fine, two years in prison, or both.

Lawmakers Divided

The bill immediately generated sharp divisions within the House. While some members expressed support, others raised concerns about its constitutional implications.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals, Jonathan Gaza, supported the amendment, arguing that dual membership could be misleading and dishonest.

However, the Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, Abubakar Fulata, cautioned that the proposal may conflict with Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees freedom of association.

He argued that restricting citizens from associating with multiple political parties could violate their constitutional rights, suggesting instead that membership should be limited to one party without criminalising the act.

Presiding over the session, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu defended the bill, describing dual party registration as a form of fraudulent misrepresentation. He stated that individuals should commit to a single political ideology rather than belonging to multiple parties.

Opposition Pushback

The proposal has also faced strong rejection from opposition parties, particularly the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The party’s leader and 2023 presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, described the amendment as unconstitutional and inconsistent with democratic principles. He argued that while electoral rules require candidates to be sponsored by one party, they do not forbid individuals from belonging to more than one political organisation.

Adebayo further accused lawmakers of pursuing partisan interests, alleging that the bill appears targeted at political advantage rather than national benefit.

Experts Weigh In

Legal analyst Maarcellus Onah suggested that the amendment may be linked to concerns within the ruling party about possible defections, especially amid economic challenges and public dissatisfaction.

He criticised the National Assembly for what he described as weak oversight of the executive, alleging that some lawmakers backing the proposal have themselves changed parties in the past.

The debate has also raised broader questions about the necessity of the amendment, given the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which controls a majority of state governments and holds significant representation in the National Assembly.

Responding to concerns about political dominance, Adebayo argued that control of political offices does not necessarily reflect public satisfaction, stressing that ultimately, the electorate will have the final say.

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