Senate Clarifies Position on Dual Party Membership Bill

The Nigerian Senate, through its media chairman Yemi Adaramodu, explained its silence on the bill that seeks to criminalize dual party membership. The Senate has not yet deliberated on the bill, which has not passed through the necessary legislative procedures.

According to Adaramodu, the bill must first undergo a formal transmission to the House of Representatives, followed by a first and second reading, public hearings, and deliberations before it can be considered by the Senate. The proposed amendment to the Electoral Act of 2026 aims to prohibit individuals from belonging to more than one political party and introduces stricter penalties for violations, including a fine of 10 million naira and a two-year imprisonment term upon conviction.

Additionally, anyone found holding dual membership will lose recognition from their political party until their status is regularized. The move addresses longstanding concerns regarding political defections and the manipulation of party membership registries.