The struggle to give Nigerians the option of seeking political offices without belonging to a political party has been reinvigorated, as the House of Representatives has again revived the independent candidacy bill.
Sponsored by the chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, the bill has already gotten the nod at the first reading stage, and potentially ready for a second reading level at which its general principles would be debated.
It is titled, “A bill for an act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as (amended), to allow for the participation of candidates who are not sponsored by political parties in presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly and local government council elections and for related matters, 2024.”
Giving insight into the intent of the bill, Rotimi told journalists that it “is to encourage inclusion and expand the democratic space by allowing more people to participate.”
“This bill will broaden the democratic process, thereby allowing citizens who are not affiliated with any political party the opportunity to run for public offices,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of a non-governmental organisation, ElectHer, which promotes the bill, Ibijoke Faborode, said it aimed to democratic the political space.
“It is democratising the space, you know, for people like you and I to also have access to the electoral process as well, and to ensure that every Nigerian is also part of the process.
“It is also ensures that most especially the vulnerable population such as women, youth, persons with disability are also given a level playing field, right, to explore opportunities within the political and electoral system,” she said.
