The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Electoral Reform Committee, Monday Ubani, SAN, has revealed that the National Assembly is under mounting pressure to fast-track the passage of a new electoral law ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming general elections.
Ubani made the disclosure on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, where he discussed ongoing efforts to reform the country’s electoral framework.
He stated that both chambers of the National Assembly—the Senate and the House of Representatives—have shown strong commitment to ensuring the bill is passed without unnecessary delays.
“Discussions with the leadership of the electoral committees in both chambers indicate a shared determination to conclude work on this legislation as quickly as possible,” Ubani said.
The NBA official emphasized that the goal is to ensure the next election cycle is conducted under an updated and more effective legal framework.
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He added that once the National Assembly resumes legislative activities this January, the Senate will prioritise harmonizing the differences between its version of the bill and that of the House of Representatives. The harmonized legislation will then be forwarded to the President for assent.
Addressing concerns about election timelines, Ubani noted that the proposed law includes strict provisions for time limits, both in relation to electoral leadership issues and the period allowed for challenging election results. The reforms aim to reduce delays by limiting the number of days within which election petitions can be filed and resolved.
According to Ubani, these measures are designed to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process, improve efficiency, and enhance public confidence in the integrity of election outcomes.