By Our Correspondent
National News – The Nigerian Senate has explained why it has not taken a position on the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act that seeks to criminalise dual political party membership.
Lawmakers in the upper chamber say they cannot deliberate on the issue until the bill is officially transmitted from the House of Representatives.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, clarified the Senate’s position during an interview on Friday.
According to him, Nigeria’s bicameral legislative structure requires that any bill passed by the House of Representatives must first be formally forwarded to the Senate before discussions or legislative action can begin.
Adaramodu noted that while the House may have advanced the amendment process, the Senate cannot comment on the proposal until it reaches the chamber for consideration.
He explained that legislative procedures require several stages, including committee reviews, public hearings, and deliberation by the Committee of the Whole before any amendment can become law.
The explanation follows the recent passage of an amendment by the House of Representatives aimed at prohibiting Nigerians from holding membership in more than one political party at the same time.
The proposed amendment to the Electoral Act 2026 introduces criminal penalties for individuals found to be registered in multiple parties simultaneously.
Under the proposal, anyone convicted of maintaining dual party membership could face a fine of ₦10 million, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both.
The amendment also proposes that such memberships be automatically declared invalid until the individual regularises their political affiliation according to party and legal requirements.
The bill seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework by addressing loopholes that critics say have allowed politicians to maintain ties with multiple political parties, particularly during party primaries and candidate selection processes.
Supporters of the amendment argue that existing rules already discourage dual party membership but lack strict enforcement mechanisms.
By introducing criminal sanctions, lawmakers hope to improve internal party discipline, enhance transparency in political participation, and protect the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.
If the Senate eventually approves the amendment and it receives presidential assent, the new provisions could mark a major shift in how political party membership is regulated in the country.
