The House of Representatives has thrown its weight behind the introduction of independent candidacy as part of the ongoing constitutional review on Thursday.
The bill, sponsored by Akin Rotimi, spokesperson for the House and Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, was introduced for its first reading at the plenary session.
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The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” seeks to enable candidates unaffiliated with political parties to contest in presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state assembly, and local government elections.
Rotimi, speaking after the plenary, emphasized that the amendment is aimed at expanding Nigeria’s democratic space and promoting greater inclusion in the political process. He said, “This bill will broaden the democratic process, thereby allowing citizens who are not affiliated with any political party the opportunity to run for public offices.”