The House of Representatives recently dismissed a bill proposing that presidential and governorship candidates secure over 50 percent of total votes cast to be declared winners.
The bill, sponsored by Awaji–Inombek Abiante (PDP- Rivers), aimed to alter the current simple majority system in electing presidents and governors, aligned with Section 134 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.
Under the proposed bill, a presidential candidate would only be declared the winner if they garnered more than half of the total votes cast, especially in races with more than two candidates.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas called for a seconding of the bill after its presentation by Abiante. However, upon seconding and a voice vote, the bill was overwhelmingly rejected by the House, with more “nays” than “ayes.” Surprisingly, the bill was rejected without any debate, which is unusual.
The rejection raises questions, as typically, bills undergo debate before rejection. Had this system been in place during the 2023 election, President Bola Tinubu might not have been declared the winner in the first ballot, as he didn’t secure a majority of total votes cast.
