Amid rising public concern over the slow progress of the Electoral Amendment Bill, the House of Representatives has said the delay is deliberate and aimed at delivering a more reliable and widely accepted electoral law.
House spokesman Akintunde Rotimi said lawmakers are prioritising accuracy and consensus over speed, noting that the reform bill is being carefully aligned between both chambers to avoid loopholes and contradictions.
According to him, the House has already passed its version of the bill, but the process cannot be completed until the Senate concludes its work and both sides reconcile their differences.
Rotimi said the proposed amendments were shaped by lessons from the 2023 general elections and inputs gathered from multiple stakeholder consultations across the country.
He explained that joint committees of the two chambers have held several strategy sessions and retreats with civil society groups, community leaders and policy advocates to ensure the reforms address real electoral challenges.
“The objective is to strengthen transparency, efficiency and credibility in the system. We want a law that Nigerians can trust, not a rushed document,” he said while commissioning road and school staff housing projects in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
The lawmaker, who represents Ekiti North Federal Constituency, said credible elections remain the foundation of democracy and that the harmonisation stage at the National Assembly would be completed soon.
He also highlighted his legislative record, stating that he has sponsored more than 40 bills, including proposals on sexual harassment in educational institutions, independent candidacy and whistleblower protection.
On constituency development, Rotimi said project selection in his area is driven by direct community demand, adding that lawmakers must focus on people-centred interventions.
He further called for continued public support for the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying sustained cooperation between citizens and government is necessary for reforms to succeed.
