2027: Opinion divided as Reps ‘cage politicians’ ahead of party primaries

Political defections intensified crossed Nigeria a fewer weeks backmost arsenic the 2027 wide elections draws near, with governors, lawmakers and enactment leaders switching allegiances successful what analysts described arsenic a strategical realignment reshaping the country’s governmental landscape.

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the House of Representatives amended provisions of the Electoral Act to criminalize dual governmental enactment membership, a determination seen arsenic an effort to curb opportunistic governmental behaviour up of the polls.

Under the amendment, violators look a good of N10 million, imprisonment of up to 2 years, oregon both, portion immoderate signifier of dual rank is rendered void and unenforceable.

Legal experts accidental the determination signals lawmakers’ volition to fortify enactment subject and support elector mandates.

Legal Framework and Limits of the Law

Nigeria’s law model already addresses defections.

Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution provides that a lawmaker who defects from the enactment that sponsored their predetermination whitethorn suffer the seat, but successful cases of interior enactment division.

The Electoral A...