The House of Representatives is discussing a constitutional amendment to ensure that all electoral disputes are resolved before newly elected officials take office.
This includes the President, Vice President, governors, and lawmakers.
The bill, introduced by Mansur Soro, a representative from Bauchi State, aims to modify Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution.
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It proposes that all appeals from election tribunals be settled by appellate courts before winners are sworn in.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would also be required to adjust election timelines to allow litigation to conclude before handover ceremonies.
According to Soro, unresolved election cases disrupt governance and waste public funds.
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He pointed out that billions of naira used for legal battles could be better spent on public services.
He also suggested that courts must prioritize election cases to meet the proposed deadlines.
The bill, introduced in October 2024, will likely be debated in early 2025. Lawmakers will examine how it could improve the electoral process and reduce governance challenges.
