NIGERIA: Reps Propose Jail Term, N10m Fine For Dual Party Membership

By Hamzat Ameenat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The House of Representatives (Nigeria) has amended the Electoral Act 2026 to prohibit individuals from holding membership in more than one political party at the same time.

Under the amendment, anyone found guilty of belonging to multiple political parties simultaneously could face a fine of N10 million, a prison term of up to two years, or both.

The amendment introduces three new subsections to Section 77 of the k

The provision states: “A person shall not be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time.”

It further states that any individual found to be registered in multiple political parties simultaneously will have the memberships declared invalid.

The provision read: “Where it is established that a person is registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time, such dual membership shall be void, and the person shall cease to be recognised as a valid member of any political party pending regularisation in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the constitution of the political party concerned.”

The amendment also prescribes criminal penalties for offenders.

It stated: “A person who knowingly registers or maintains membership in more than one political party at the same time commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N10 million or imprisonment for a term of two years, or both.”

Lawmakers said the amendment aims to strengthen the legal framework governing party affiliation and curb the practice of politicians maintaining links with multiple political parties.

Observers have linked the issue to recurring internal crises within major parties such as the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, where disputes over party registers and candidate nominations often arise.

Supporters of the amendment argue that introducing strict penalties would reinforce party discipline, improve transparency in membership records, and strengthen the integrity of elections supervised by the Independent National

Electoral Commission.