House Of Reps Takes Stand: New Bill Aims To Curb Political Defections

Lawmakers Tackle Party Hopping: A Step Toward Accountability

In a move aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria's political landscape, the House of Representatives has taken a bold step by passing a bill at its second reading. This bill seeks to curb the growing trend of lawmakers defecting from one political party to another without proper protocol. It’s like saying, "Hey, if you want to switch teams, you gotta play by the rules!"

Naija News has learned that this proposed legislation intends to amend Section 68(1g) of the 1999 Constitution. The amendment would require members of the National Assembly to formally resign from their current political party before defecting to another. It’s a way of ensuring that lawmakers don’t just jump ship without giving proper notice.

Why This Bill Matters

This initiative comes as a response to the alarming rise in party defections, especially from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Picture this: Imagine you're on a football team, and halfway through the season, half the players decide to join the opposing side without even saying goodbye. That's essentially what's been happening in Nigeria's political arena.

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Over the years, both the Senate and the House of Representatives have witnessed numerous lawmakers switching parties. This trend has raised serious concerns about the integrity and stability of the political process. It’s not just about changing sides; it’s about maintaining trust and accountability in our democracy.

What the Bill Proposes

Clause 1 of the bill seeks to amend Section 68(g) of the Constitution. Here’s how it breaks down: No member of the Senate or House of Representatives will be considered to have validly defected to another political party unless they first submit a written resignation letter to their original party. This resignation must be officially acknowledged through a verifiable medium, such as physical delivery with an acknowledgment of receipt, email, or any other legally recognized method.

The goal here is to make the process of party defection more transparent and accountable. It’s about ensuring that lawmakers don’t just casually switch parties without following the proper procedures. It’s like saying, "If you want to join a new team, you need to officially leave the old one first."

Legal Experts Weigh In

Constitutional lawyer Femi Falana has spoken out on this issue, labeling the mass defections of lawmakers in the National Assembly as illegal. Falana emphasized that any lawmaker seeking to defect should first resign from the party that sponsored their election. He stressed the importance of adhering to legal protocols during the defection process.

This argument is backed by a significant legal precedent. In 2022, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled to sack two members of the House of Representatives and 18 members of the Cross River State House of Assembly. These lawmakers were penalized for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC without resigning from their original parties. The court’s decision was based on the argument that these defections violated the constitutional requirements for party changes.

What This Means for Nigerian Politics

This bill, if passed into law, could set a new standard for political accountability in Nigeria. It’s about ensuring that lawmakers respect the process and the institutions they represent. It’s not just about changing parties; it’s about maintaining the integrity of our political system. This is a step in the right direction for a more transparent and accountable political environment in Nigeria.

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