Abuja, Nigeria: The upper house of the Nigerian legislature has stood firm on the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act, asserting that the requirements for political parties to use only direct primaries or consensus for choosing candidates align with international democratic standards.
The Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, addressed the matter in a statement released in Abuja, the capital city, on Sunday, April 5, 2026. The Senator, who represents the Ekiti Central district and serves as the Majority Leader of the 10th Senate, clarified that the legislation was not a unilateral decision by the National Assembly (NASS). Instead, he described it as the result of extensive discussions involving various parties, civil society organizations, and international development partners.
This explanation follows criticism from opposition political groups, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which claimed that the new rules were designed to hinder their performance in the upcoming 2027 general elections. The ADC and other critics specifically questioned sections of the law that mandate political parties to submit a digital register of their members to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the body responsible for overseeing elections in Nigeria.
Okay News reports that Senator Bamidele dismissed these concerns, arguing that the shift away from the delegate system is necessary to reduce the influence of wealthy individuals in the political process. Under the previous system, a small group of delegates would often choose candidates, a process critics say was vulnerable to financial manipulation.
“The provision is intentional and not self-serving. It aims at ending a delegate system that compromises the interest of the majority and strengthens the arms of the moneybags to hijack the primaries,” Bamidele stated. He added, “With the new system, we hope all party members can participate in the nomination of candidates for all elective positions transparently. The final decision is now in the hands of party members. It is no longer a process where aspirants openly display cash at the venues of party primaries to compromise delegates. This new system reinforces the principle of majority rule, which sits at the heart of democracy.”
The Senator also defended the requirement for a digital membership database under Section 77 of the Act. He noted that in global politics, parties are built on shared beliefs and that every member should have a voice. According to Bamidele, the digital register ensures transparency and prevents outsiders from seizing control of a party’s internal decisions.
Beyond electoral matters, the Senate Leader addressed recent violent incidents in Plateau State and Kaduna State in north-central and north-western Nigeria, where many lives were lost. He assured the public that the legislature is working with the federal government of Nigeria to amend the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. The proposed changes seek to impose the maximum legal penalties on kidnappers and those who fund or assist them.
“As an institution that prioritises public interest and seeks collective prosperity, the National Assembly will not fold its arms and allow rogue elements to destroy the nation we are building for the next generation and positioning for global leadership. We are confident that the end to such criminal acts and killings is already in sight,” Bamidele said.
