The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, says the National Assembly has introduced tougher sanctions for vote buying and other electoral offences ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Monday to mark the resumption of plenary by the 10th National Assembly, Bamidele explained that the proposals are contained in the Electoral Bill 2025, currently under legislative consideration.
“With respect to vote buying, the sanctions range from a fine of ₦5 million to a two-year imprisonment and a 10-year ban from contesting elections,” the statement reads.
Bamidele said the bill also recommends mandatory jail terms and higher fines for offences such as falsifying results and obstructing election officials.
He noted that the provisions are designed to eliminate impunity and strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
The proposed law introduces electronically generated voter identification, including a downloadable voter card with a unique QR code.
It also mandates presiding officers to transmit polling unit results electronically, including the total number of accredited voters.
Bamidele added that the legislation standardises delegates for indirect primaries to prevent party leaders from unilaterally determining delegate criteria.
Committees on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in both chambers are expected to submit reports for clause-by-clause consideration soon.
The Senate Leader stressed that the reforms are intended to guarantee credible, transparent, and secure elections beginning with the 2027 polls.
He said the next 16 months would be demanding, with renewed focus on electoral reforms and governance restructuring.
Lawmakers will also devote significant time to the consideration of the 2026 appropriation bill, presented by President Bola Tinubu to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 18, 2025.
“The proposal is crucial to the growth, prosperity and stability of our economy this year and beyond,” Bamidele said.
Economic and Fiscal Reforms
He explained that the budget is designed to reinforce macroeconomic stability, deepen global competitiveness, and translate growth into jobs and improved living standards.
Bamidele highlighted the enactment of the 2025 Tax Reform Act, which recalibrated Nigeria’s fiscal space by easing the tax burden on low-income earners while placing greater responsibility on high-income earners.
“With the reforms of our fiscal space, we believe funding our budget will no longer be a challenge, and our budget deficit will begin to shrink year by year,” he said.
Bamidele also confirmed that the review of the 1999 Constitution has reached an advanced stage, with technical sessions and public hearings concluded.
He said Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who chairs the constitution review committee, would soon present the report to the Senate.
The final stage of the process will require approval by at least two-thirds of state houses of assembly, as stipulated by the constitution.
“At the end of it all, good governance, enhanced security and the welfare of our constituents shall remain our cardinal objectives,” Bamidele concluded.
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