Senate President Godswill Akpabio has signaled an impending amendment to Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2022 to reinstate statutory delegates in political party primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja on Monday, Akpabio described the omission of statutory delegates in the last amendment as an oversight that must be corrected.
“There were defects in the last Electoral Act,” Akpabio said. “We inadvertently created what I may call super-delegates by excluding statutory delegates from party primaries.”
Statutory delegates, including the president, vice president, governors, lawmakers, and local government chairpersons, were left out of the 2023 primaries, meaning only ad hoc delegates had the power to elect party candidates.
Akpabio emphasized that democracy thrives on broad participation and that the amendment would ensure greater inclusivity in the electoral process.
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Additionally, the Senate plans to review the powers given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in candidate selection.
Akpabio argued that political parties should have greater control over choosing their flag bearers to align with their manifestos and ensure competent leadership.
NBA President Afam Osigwe, who led the delegation, urged lawmakers to prioritize judicial reforms in the ongoing constitutional review.
As discussions on electoral reforms intensify, political observers will be watching closely to see how these proposed amendments shape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of 2027.