HOLD ELECTIONS IN 2026 TO AVERT POST-POLL DISTRACTIONS, OGUNBANWO TELLS INEC

 

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Ogunbanwo, has expressed support for a proposal before the National Assembly to move Nigeria’s next general elections to late 2026 — six months earlier than the traditional February 2027 schedule.

The proposal, contained in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, was unveiled on Monday during a joint public hearing organised by the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters in Abuja. The bill, which seeks to repeal the 2022 Electoral Act and enact a new one, has drawn wide input from lawmakers, civil society groups, and electoral stakeholders.

Speaking as a guest on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, on Thursday, Ogunbanwo who represents the Ijebu Central Federal Constituency said the move would allow ample time for election litigation to be concluded before the swearing-in of newly elected officials in 2027.

According to him, the adjustment will strengthen political stability and improve public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process. He recalled his own experience awaiting a court judgment while in office, describing it as “a psychological burden that creates uncertainty and affects performance.”

“One of the proposals is that we should move the election forward to maybe late 2026 as against early 2027, so that there could be enough time to resolve election litigation matters and allow the judicial process to conclude before swearing-in,” Ogunbanwo explained.

“We have not brought it to the House yet; it’s still being considered at the committee level. After gathering all the submissions, the committee will come up with its recommendations. So, as we speak, it remains a proposal.”

He added that such a shift would allow elected officials to focus fully on governance once inaugurated.

“It will allow whoever wins the election to concentrate from day one. After swearing-in, you see people spending three to six months in court, unsure of their fate. I remember my own experience — on the day judgment was to be delivered in my case, I was in plenary, and colleagues asked why I wasn’t at home. They said, ‘If the judgment isn’t in your favour, from here you’ll just go home and your office will be sealed.’ That uncertainty affects performance,” he said.

He further noted that many political observers believe that once a candidate is sworn in, it becomes difficult for the judiciary to rule against such a person, as the office confers an “undue advantage.”

When asked whether the adjustment might shorten the governance cycle and create a perpetual campaign atmosphere, the lawmaker said Nigerians must weigh the advantages and disadvantages carefully.

“We have to look at the advantages and disadvantages now. people are already indicating interest and campaigning informally and formally. When we say period of governance, we all know from early next year, primary elections will begin and even if INEC frowns against it, people will always campaign before it. We have to look at the pros and cons. Are you for conclusion of litigation before swearing in or do you want distractions? Because when someone is sworn in, his mind will not concentrate in the office for six months if not more than.he argued.

Ogunbanwo’s position aligns with growing calls for electoral reform following the prolonged court battles that trailed the 2019 and 2023 general elections. In both cases, several governors and lawmakers were inaugurated while still facing petitions, creating months of uncertainty and governance disruptions.

Analysts note that such legal delays often trigger off-cycle elections — now common in states like Edo, Osun, Anambra, Ondo, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Imo, and Kogi. Off-cycle elections in Nigeria typically stem from judicial annulments, political crises, or constitutional irregularities.

Section 180(2) of the Nigerian Constitution mandates that a governor vacates office four years after taking the oath of office. When electoral disruptions alter the timeline in a particular state, off-cycle elections become necessary to maintain constitutional balance.

While some support the proposed reform, critics warn that it could compress governance periods and deepen Nigeria’s campaign fatigue. Others advocate judicial reforms  such as directing presidential election petitions straight to the Supreme Court, as practiced in Kenya.

Responding to that argument, Ogunbanwo noted that such a system could overwhelm the Nigerian judiciary.

“The Supreme Court would have to handle an enormous volume of evidence and witness testimonies, which may not be easy to conclude within a limited timeframe,” he said.

Expanding on the judicial implications, the lawmaker explained that though the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in certain cases involving the states, assuming full responsibility for presidential petitions would present unique challenges.

“The Supreme Court is the court of appellate jurisdiction, and there are matters where it also assumes original jurisdiction  especially when a state is involved. It’s something worthy of looking into because it will save cost,” he noted.

“However, that would mean the Supreme Court cannot decide such matters within the usual three months, because they would need to call witnesses and review fresh evidence, unlike appeals where the facts have already been established at lower courts. It’s not something they can finish in six months, but it’s worthy of consideration. I’m not a judicial expert,” he added.