House Introduces Independent Candidacy Bill

Gloria Essien, Abuja

The House of Representatives has introduced a bill seeking to alter the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to create room for persons, who are not members of political parties to contest for elective positions in Nigeria.

It is titled, “A bill for an act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as (amended), to allow for the participation of candidates who are not sponsored by political parties in presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly and local government council elections and for related matters, 2024.”

The bill, which has passed first reading is sponsored by the chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, Mr. Akin Rotimi.

The proposed legislation seeks to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to allow an independent candidate to contest for elective positions at all levels.

“This will broaden the democratic process, thereby allowing citizens who are not affiliated with any political party the opportunity to run for public offices.” the explanatory memorandum said.

The bill provides that persons seeking to contest an election at the local government, state and federal levels shall obtain the verified signature of at least 10 percent of registered voters from at least 2/3 of the area covered by the office, he or she is contesting.

According to the proposed legislation, INEC “shall develop and publish guidelines and procedures for the nomination, verification, and 

participation of independent candidates in all elections. Prescribe the time within which on independent candidate shall  submit his nomination papers and the collation of the signatures of registered voters. Provided that the time prescribed under this section for the collation of  the signatures of registered voters shall run concurrently with the time  prescribed for the conduct of primary elections by political parties. “

It also says that INEC “ shall prescribe a security deposit to be paid by an independent candidate seeking election into any elective office created by this Constitution or any other Act of the National Assembly: and such security deposit shall be forfeited if such candidate fails to secure at least ten percent of the total vote cast at the election.” 

Also speaking, the Executive Director of a non-governmental organisation, ElectHer, which promotes the bill, Ibijoke Faborode, said it aimed to democratic the political space.

“It is democratising the space, you know, for people like you and I to also have access to the electoral process as well, and to ensure that every Nigerian is also part of the process.

She added that the move would ensure that the vulnerable population such as women, youth, persons with disability are given a level playing field, right, to explore opportunities within the political and electoral system.

Lateefah Ibrahim