Bamidele defends 2026 Electoral Act, says it reflects stakeholders’ consensus

In an Easter message issued by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, the Senate leader urged political actors to embrace the values of sacrifice and tolerance exemplified by Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.

Some opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had claimed that Section 77(1–7) of the Electoral Act was intended to frustrate their chances against the ruling party in 2027.

They also criticised Section 84(1–3), which restricts political parties to either direct primaries or consensus for candidate nomination.

Bamidele refuted these allegations, emphasising that each provision of the Act “is informed purely by stakeholders’ consensus and not by legislative fiat.” He highlighted that civil society organisations, development partners, and other stakeholders were actively involved in shaping the law.

“Now is the time we must play by the rules and not against them,” Bamidele said, urging all political leaders and parties to adhere to the regulations collectively enacted to ensure peace, order, and stability in the political system.

He further explained that the Act’s provisions reinforce collective decision-making in party management and align with international electoral standards.

Bamidele also cited the requirement for political parties to submit a digital register of members to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under Section 77(1–3) as an example of measures designed to strengthen transparency and accountability.

“The provision was not introduced for any self-serving purpose. Rather, it is consistent with the global best practices and aims specifically at building a culture of collegial decision-making that governs party politics worldwide.

“Globally, political parties are founded on clearly defined convictions and persuasions. The persuasions inform the decision of every member whether to join Party X or Party Y. Membership, therefore, is not just a requirement for the party management, but indeed the lifeblood of every political party globally.

“Every member reverses the right to contribute to the decision-making process of his/her party. Such a system requires functional regulations and transparency, hence the need for the introduction of a digital party membership register. The register is to prevent powerful individuals, who are unknown to a political party, from hijacking its decision-making process.”

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Bamidele also explained the rationale behind limiting the procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties for the various elective positions to direct primaries or consensus under Section 84(1-3) of the Electoral Act.

He said the provision “is intentional and not self-serving. It aims at ending a delegate system that compromises the interests of the majority and strengthens the arms of the moneybags to hijack the primaries. With the new system, we hope all party members can participate in the nomination of candidates for all elective positions transparently.

“The final decision is now in the hands of party members. It is no longer a process where aspirants openly display cash at the venues of party primaries to compromise delegates. This new reinforces the principle of majority rule, which sits at the heart of democracy,” Bamidele said.

He condemned, in absolute terms, the recent armed attacks in both Plateau and Kaduna States that claimed scores of lives, noting that the parliament “had been working in synergy with federal and state government to put an end to such premeditated armed attacks on vulnerable people.”

He said, “As an institution that prioritises public interest and seeks collective prosperity, the National Assembly will not fold its arms and allow rogue elements to destroy the Nation we are building for the next generation and positioning for global leadership. We are confident that the end to such criminal acts and killings is already in sight.

“We are synergising with the federal and state governments to address all the forces and triggers that fuel and escalate armed attacks nationwide. This synergy is evident in the ongoing amendment of the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and other legislative initiatives.

“The National Assembly is working to ensure stability in the polity and security even in the remotest parts of our Nation. The review promises to institutionalise stiffer measures against kidnappers, their financiers, and informants. Unlike before, the consequence will now be maximum.”