2027 Elections: APC Opposes Proposal for Same-Day Voting as Opposition Parties Support Amendment

A major political debate is unfolding over a proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution aimed at synchronizing all elections in Nigeria to a single day, beginning in 2027.

The proposal, initiated by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, suggests that presidential, governorship, national, and state legislative elections should be held simultaneously. Proponents argue that this change would significantly reduce election-related costs and curb the ripple effects of staggered polls.

However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has voiced strong opposition, cautioning that the logistics involved could overwhelm the electoral system and disrupt the effectiveness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Support from Opposition Parties

Key opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC), have all expressed support for the move.

Ladipo Johnson, spokesperson for the NNPP, said the reform could enhance efficiency and reduce the financial burden on both the government and political parties. “Election costs are extremely high. Holding all elections on a single day will help address this issue,” he noted.

Obiora Ifoh of the Labour Party echoed this view, stating that the shift would help eliminate the “bandwagon effect” seen when voters align their decisions in later polls with earlier outcomes. He also emphasized that it would cut down on logistics and operational expenses.

Timothy Osadolor of the PDP welcomed the amendment as long as it was pursued with integrity. He questioned the logic behind spending over ₦350 billion on elections without seeing a return in voter satisfaction or credible outcomes.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s spokesperson, also supported the idea but stressed that its success would hinge on INEC’s ability to manage logistics effectively. “There’s no sign that INEC is ready to improve its logistics infrastructure at this point,” he warned.

Concerns from APGA, APC, and Lawmakers

Not everyone is on board. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) raised concerns over the feasibility of holding all elections at once, describing the potential scenario as chaotic.

APGA spokesman Ejimofor Okpara said, “It might sound appealing on paper, but in practice, our electoral process is already burdened. Adding more layers could result in operational collapse.”

Opinions also vary among lawmakers. While Katsina lawmaker Sada Soli (APC) endorsed the proposal as “long overdue,” others like Osun’s Oluwole Oke and Lagos’ Babajimi Benson cautioned against embedding such a requirement in the Constitution, preferring instead that INEC retain the flexibility to schedule polls as needed.

The APC, through its Deputy National Organising Secretary Nze Chidi Duru, rejected the proposal outright. He argued that staggered elections keep INEC active throughout the electoral cycle and prevent overburdening the system. “If everything is done in one day, INEC may spend the next four years idle, which isn’t ideal,” he said.

Mixed Reactions from Legal Experts and Civil Society

Legal professionals are also split. Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, a former INEC Director of Voter Education, warned that similar efforts in the early 2000s were struck down by courts and suggested Nigeria still lacks the infrastructure and voter literacy to support such a reform.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Lekan Ojo, acknowledged the cost-saving benefits but warned of operational complications that could trigger an influx of post-election litigations. Another SAN, Wale Balogun, expressed deep reservations about Nigeria’s readiness for such a reform, citing systemic weaknesses.

Conversely, civil society groups welcomed the proposal. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani of the Transition Monitoring Group and Debo Adeniran of the Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership both said the reform could enhance transparency and minimize election manipulation. Adeniran added, “Those opposing this reform may have ulterior motives tied to manipulating the process.”