Jumoke Olasunkanmi
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has disclosed that the legislature will focus on the review of the 2022 Electoral Act in the coming year.
Expressing concern about the over-reliance on the judiciary by Nigeria’s electoral system, Speaker Abbas emphasised the need for election outcomes to be determined at the polling unit, rather than in court.
In a press statement released on Saturday, the speaker, who was speaking at the opening of the last plenary for 2023, acknowledged the far-reaching recommendations from the citizens’ town hall on electoral reforms that would be considered in amending the Electoral Act.
He stated, “The ‘over-judicialisation’ of electoral outcomes has greatly undermined public confidence and could erode the legitimacy of political leadership if not quickly and adequately addressed.”
Abass underscored the House’s commitment to engaging citizens in key processes, citing the citizens’ town hall on the 2024 Appropriation Bill as an example.
He announced plans to take the budget to the people at the constituency levels in the coming years, ensuring inclusivity in the law-making process.
