A coalition of prominent civic leaders, labour figures and political actors under the aegis of the Movement for Credible Elections has asked the National Assembly to amend the law to ensure that any elected official who defects from the party under which they were elected automatically loses their seat.
The group said making cross-carpeting a ground for immediate loss of mandate and conduct of fresh elections would strengthen party discipline and protect the integrity of the ballot ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The demand formed part of a petition the coalition submitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, dated December 10, 2025, calling for urgent and comprehensive reforms to Nigeria’s electoral framework.
The MCE is led by personalities including political economist, Pat Utomi; former President, Nigerian Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba; Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana; and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili.
The petition read, “The coalition calls on the House of Representatives to prioritise a set of critical reforms, which include strengthening the Electoral Act to close loopholes and enhance accountability, mandating electronic transmission and real-time publication of polling-unit results on IREV.
“Tightening enforcement and penalties for electoral offences; strengthening INEC’s independence through autonomous funding and enhanced training for improved professional capacity.
“Ensuring all election disputes are concluded before swearing-in, ending pre-election judicial interference that disrupts the electoral process, making defections of elected officials to a different party other than the one for which they were elected a basis for loss of seat and fresh elections.”
Ahead of the 2027 elections, there are almost daily reports of governors and lawmakers at the state and federal levels defecting from one party to the other, with the ruling All Progressives Congress particularly receiving members of the opposition parties.
The coalition warned that confidence in Nigeria’s elections was “at an all-time low,” blaming recurring insecurity, vote-buying, voter suppression, logistical failures and inconsistent deployment of election technology.
It is, therefore, argued that unless the National Assembly acts swiftly, the credibility of the 2027 polls could be at risk.
Other reforms demanded are “independent audit of INEC’s technological systems, including BVAS, IReV, data storage and backup infrastructure, before the next general election.”
Other proposals include broader inclusion of youths, women and persons with disabilities; diaspora voting; strict internal party democracy; conclusion of all election petitions before swearing-in; and an end to pre-election judicial interventions that distort the electoral process.
“The 2027 elections present a defining moment for our democracy,” the petition stated.
“We must act now to rebuild public trust, strengthen institutions and protect the legitimacy of our electoral outcomes.”
The coalition said it was prepared to support the legislature through public hearings, technical submissions and sustained engagement to ensure the reforms are enacted.
It, however, warned that it would mobilise citizens for mass action if lawmakers fail to act on what it described as the “popular demands of Nigerians.”
Members of the Interim Steering Council who endorsed the petition include Utomi (chairman), Wabba (co-chairman), Bugaje and Toyo (deputy chairmen), Falana (legal counsel), Ezekwesili (special adviser), Senator Shehu Sanni, Bilikisu Magoro, Ene Obi, HC Peter Ameh, Alex Ardum, Promise Adewusi, and Chris Uyot.
Others are Hamisu San Turaki, Chris Iyovwaye, Chris Azor, Mark Adebayo, Peter Randy Akah, James Ezema, Kamal Yusuf Ahmed, Bala Zakka, Shettima Yerima, Salisu Mohammed, Hauwa Mustapha and Olawale Okunniyi, who serves as the head of the secretariat
The Member, representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon. Chris Nkwonta, has enjoined his Constituents and Nigerians, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, hope, patience, humility and love for humanity as exemplified by Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the real essence of Easter Celebration.
In a statement personally signed by the Legislator, he called on his Constituents and the Christian Community in Nigeria to demonstrate Christ-like virtues of love for humanity, hope for a better future, peaceful and harmonious disposition in their dealings with one another for a United Ukwa Federal Constituency and indeed Nigeria, where brotherly love reigns amongst Citizens.
He maintained that despite the prevailing temporary economic difficulties; there is light at the end of the tunnel and strong hope for a better, improved and secured economy within a short period of time.
Hon. Nkwonta, wished everyone a hitch free and joyous Easter Celebration!
The Rivers State Police Command has declared that the tragic death of a 26-year-old lady, Peace Moses, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, was not reported in any of its divisions or units across the state.
Peace was knocked down last Monday evening by a convoy of about 15 fast-moving vehicles around Omega Junction along Ada-George Road in Port Harcourt.
She was returning from an evening service at her church, Love Channel Christian Centre, also located along Ada-George Road, when the tragic incident occurred.
Last Thursday, a candlelight procession was organised in her honour by her friends and neighbours.
Speaking with our correspondent in Port Harcourt yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), wondered why neighbours could not report the incident to the Police.
Iringe-Koko stated that even the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Rumuepirikom Police Division was unaware of the tragic incident.
“Probably they didn’t report any such incident to the Police Station because the DPO in charge of that area is asking me where and when the incident occurred.
See, if they don’t report cases to the Police, how would the Police know? We are not magicians. I just spoke with the DPO, and she said she is not aware of anything like that.
“Somebody needs to report or anyhow, information needs to get through so that we too will get it,” she said.
But reacting to the claim by the Police, a human rights lawyer, Courage Nsirimovu, said that, with or without a report on the tragic incident, the Police are duty-bound to investigate the matter.
Nsirimovu said: “The duty of the Nigerian police is to secure lives and properties, and where a life has been lost in such grievous circumstances, the police have a duty to investigate the matter on the basis of their mandate and the public need to prevent such a menace to human life.
“The Police have a duty to investigate the matter, with or without a petition.”
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, on Sunday said many Nigerians might seek a constitutional amendment to allow President Bola Tinubu to remain in office beyond two terms.
The monarch, in a congratulatory message by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, to celebrate Tinubu’s 74th birthday, described the President as a decisive leader who has laid a renewed foundation of hope for the country.
“Many Nigerians may beg for a constitutional review for Tinubu to spend more than two terms in office. He is a leader who knows what he is doing,” he said.
Oluwo said the President had distinguished himself through what he described as a firm campaign against illegalities that had stalled the country’s economic growth.
He added that the President’s administrative prowess had driven notable gains, citing improvements in the naira, a rise in foreign reserves from about $1bn to between $49.5bn and $50.45bn as of late February/March 2026, and strengthened economic indices.
The monarch attributed the gains to structural reforms, including exchange rate unification, increased oil output and higher foreign investment inflows.
Oluwo also commended Tinubu for granting local government autonomy, increasing allocations to states, expanding road infrastructure and improving palliative distribution at the grassroots.
According to him, past leaders attempted similar economic reforms but were overwhelmed by public and political pressure.
He said only a capable leader could implement tough but necessary decisions to reposition the economy.
Oluwo added that the President’s policies had begun to impact the standard of living, noting that the next phase would be stability.
He said, “You are not yet a capable leader until you make decisions and stand by them. Many past presidents attempted to remove obstacles to economic prosperity but were overrun by public outcries. Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon leadership through reforms.
“Nigeria’s foreign reserves have increased to over $49.5bn from about $1bn. Local government autonomy is taking effect, states earn more, and road projects, including Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and Sokoto-Badagry, are ongoing.”