Senate Explains Silence On Bill Criminalising Dual Party Membership

The Nigerian Senate has clarified why it is yet to take a position on the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act seeking to criminalise dual party membership, insisting that the bill must first be formally transmitted from the House of Representatives.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said the upper chamber could not deliberate on a bill that had not been passed to it.

“Even if any amendment is coming, we are running a bicameral legislature. So, we can’t comment on it until it gets to us,” he said.

He explained that legislative procedures must be completed at the House of Representatives before the Senate can consider the proposal.

According to Adaramodu, the process requires that any bill must: Pass first and second readings in the House; Undergo public hearing; Be deliberated upon and passed; Be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.

Speaking to The PUNCH, he stressed that until these steps are completed, the Senate cannot officially engage with the amendment.

The proposed amendment to the Electoral Act 2026 seeks to: Prohibit individuals from belonging to more than one political party; Void any dual party membership; Impose stricter penalties on offenders.

Under the bill: Offenders risk a ₦10 million fine; Or up to two years imprisonment; Or both penalties upon conviction.

It also provides that anyone found to hold dual membership will lose recognition in all political parties until their status is regularised.

The move is aimed at addressing long-standing concerns over: Political defections; Manipulation of party membership registers; Weak enforcement of party discipline.

Although current laws discourage multiple party memberships, enforcement has largely been administrative, with little or no criminal consequences.

For the amendment to become law: It must be passed by both chambers of the National Assembly of Nigeria; It will then be forwarded to the President for assent.

Until then, the Senate maintains it cannot take any official position on the proposal.