By Toba Owojaiye | Abuja
In a bold legislative move that could redefine Nigeria’s electoral framework, the National Assembly is pushing a constitutional amendment that would see all five major elections, presidential, governorship, National Assembly, State Assembly, and local government, conducted on a single day starting from the 2027 general elections.
Truth Live News gathered that the August reform, embedded in the proposed Electoral Act 2025, has scaled second reading in both chambers of the National Assembly, with lawmakers citing rising costs, declining voter turnout, and growing public distrust in staggered elections as key motivations for the sweeping change.
“Conducting all elections in one day will enhance transparency, reduce manipulation, and save billions in public funds,” said Hon. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, a leading voice behind the reform.
If passed, the proposal would require the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), currently the sole body empowered to conduct federal and state elections, to carry out the entire electoral process across all levels in one coordinated nationwide operation.
Nigeria’s electoral budget has ballooned from ₦1.5 billion in 1999 to over ₦350 billion in 2023, sparking calls for cost-cutting measures. Lawmakers argue that spreading elections over several weeks compounds expenses, logistical headaches, and exposes the process to manipulation between phases.
“Why hold five expensive elections when we can consolidate and save?” asked Senator Saliu Mustapha, who sponsored the Senate’s version of the bill. “This is a win for democracy and public accountability.”
Voters will cast all ballots, presidential, senatorial, gubernatorial, and local, on one day.
Campaign windows may be shortened, limiting the spread of misinformation and reducing political tension.
INEC may be unbundled or restructured to improve operational efficiency and cope with the complexity of a one-day mega-election.
Elected officials may serve as party delegates during primaries and conventions, a shift that could entrench incumbency advantages.
While civil society groups and some stakeholders laud the proposal, experts warn of massive logistical strain.
“You’re asking INEC to coordinate 180 million potential voters, across six different ballots, in a single day. Without deep reform and tech upgrades, it could collapse the system,” said electoral reform expert Dr. Amina Danjuma.
Others raise concerns about voter confusion, especially in rural areas where literacy levels are low and ballot complexity could lead to high rates of invalid votes.
There’s also the hurdle of amending the 1999 Constitution. For this to pass, two-thirds of state houses of assembly must approve, a political process that could stretch well into 2026.
Proponents point to models in India, the United States, and Brazil, where general elections are conducted on a single day. They argue that consolidating elections fosters stronger turnout and limits the influence of incumbents between election rounds.
“This will reduce electoral violence, increase transparency, and restore public faith in democracy,” said a joint statement from the Centre for Democratic Development and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
A public hearing is expected before the end of Q4 2025, where INEC, political parties, civil society organizations, and Nigerians will weigh in. Meanwhile, committees in both houses have been mandated to harmonize the bill and recommend implementation guidelines.
If the reform passes all legislative and constitutional hurdles, February or March 2027 could mark the first time Nigerians elect all their leaders on the same day, a seismic shift in the country’s democratic journey.
This is not just an election reform, it’s a potential reengineering of Nigerian democracy. Whether it leads to greater efficiency or electoral chaos will depend on INEC’s capacity, political will, and how seriously the nation prepares. For now, Nigerians should brace for what may become the biggest election day in African history.