The House of Representatives is considering a constitutional amendment that would allow Nigeria’s presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly elections to be conducted on the same day starting from 2027.
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, disclosed this during a meeting with a European Union delegation in Abuja on Thursday. He said the proposal, part of the ongoing constitutional review, is aimed at improving efficiency, cutting costs, and boosting voter participation.
“In our own thinking, conducting elections in one day will strengthen credibility and encourage greater voter turnout,” Abbas stated. He added that the reform is in line with international practice, citing countries such as Ghana, Sierra Leone, the United States, and Venezuela.
The Speaker also revealed that other amendments under review include reserved seats for women and persons with disabilities, granting financial autonomy to traditional rulers, and redefining their constitutional roles. He urged the EU to support advocacy efforts, stressing that approval from state assemblies will be critical.
Abbas assured that the National Assembly would provide INEC with the legal backing and tools needed to ensure that the 2027 polls surpass the credibility of the 2023 elections.
The idea of single-day elections is not new. Former INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had previously advocated for the practice, warning that staggered polls were both costly and inefficient.
Currently, Nigeria conducts its elections on different days, often stretching the process over several weeks.
