Nigeria's new Electoral Act challenges political defection ahead of 2027 elections
via Punch Nigeria9 min read
Nigeria's political landscape is undergoing a significant shift as the April 2026 deadline for submitting digital party membership registers approaches, impacting the 2027 general elections. For decades, Nigerian politicians have frequently switched parties, often without seeking a fresh mandate from voters. This practice, fueled by ambition and perceived strategic necessity, has been criticized for undermining the electoral process and turning parties into temporary lodgings rather than stable institutions. Notable figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and several state governors, including Dave Umahi, Ben Ayade, and Bello Matawalle, have previously moved between parties, often citing various reasons such as seeking federal connections or addressing internal party issues. However, the new Electoral Act 2026 aims to curb this trend. Section 77 mandates parties to maintain digital membership registers linked to the National Identification Number, to be submitted to INEC at least 30 days before primaries. Once submitted, these registers are frozen, preventing late entries or emergency adoptions. Additionally, Section 115 criminalizes multiple nominations, and Section 33 limits substitutions to cases of death or voluntary withdrawal. This legislation has created a "Freeze Zone," causing panic among politicians who relied on fluid allegiances. The Supreme Court's reserved rulings on leadership crises within parties like the PDP and ADC further complicate matters, leaving aspira
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Donald Trump joked about seeking a fourth term as President of the United States during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington DC. Speaking at the rescheduled event at the Waldorf Astoria, Trump wore a red “Trump 2028” cap and stated his intention to run for a fourth term, calling it a “scoop.” He also claimed victory in the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden, referring to it as a “rigged election.” The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution limits a president to two terms, making a fourth term constitutionally impossible. This marked Trump’s first attendance at the annual dinner as president, having boycotted it previously. The event was postponed from April due to gunfire, which led to an evacuation and the arrest of a suspect. The rescheduled dinner was held with increased security at the Waldorf Astoria, a change from its usual venue at the Washington Hilton.
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