Bill To Allow Independent Candidates Compete Elections Passes First Reading

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill amending the 1999 Constitution for first reading.

The proposed law is titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Allow for the Participation of Candidates Who Are Not Sponsored by Political Parties in the Presidential, Governorship, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and Local Government Council Elections.”

The bill, sponsored by Akin Rotimi, the spokesperson for the House and representative of the Ikole-Oye Federal Constituency in Ekiti State, aims to amend sections 7, 65, 106, 131, 177, and 221 of the Constitution.

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Meanwhile, it was reported earlier that the House of Representatives had assured a quick passage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

The leadership of the House of Representatives assured it has resolved to accelerate the passage of the Appropriation Bill and the Whistleblower Protection Bill, as well as strengthen good governance and improve national security.

A statement issued on Monday by the chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, in Abuja, highlighted the major areas of legislative focus for the second year of the 10th Assembly.