House Of Reps Will Deliver Credible Electoral Reform Bill House Spokesman

The Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akintunde Rotimi, has assured Nigerians that the National Assembly remains committed to delivering a robust Electoral Reform Bill that will strengthen the nation’s democracy.

Rotimi, who represents Ekiti North Federal Constituency I, gave the assurance on Saturday during the inauguration of three constituency projects in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

The commissioned projects include two roads in Isaba and Oke-Ayedun, and a staff quarters at Odo-Oro High School, Odo-Oro Ekiti.

He said, “These projects were executed based on the expressed needs of my constituents. Members of the House of Representatives are deliberate about constituency projects by giving constituents the opportunity to articulate their priorities.”

Amid concerns over the delay in concluding work on the Electoral Reform Bill, Rotimi said both chambers of the National Assembly were currently harmonising provisions of the proposed law after the House passed it in December.

He said, “The Electoral Reform Bill before the National Assembly is targeted at improving the transparency, credibility and efficiency of our democratic system, while also addressing the shortcomings exposed during the 2023 general elections.

“The reforms are all-encompassing and are products of extensive feedback from stakeholders. The Joint House and Senate Committees on Electoral Reforms have met severally. We have held retreats and consultations with community leaders, civil society organisations and other interest groups.”

He added that a harmonised version of the bill would soon be passed. Rotimi emphasised the centrality of free and fair elections to the democratic process.

“Nigerians must be able to vote freely, and their votes must count. That is one of the core pillars of democratic governance ensuring that citizens can choose their representatives across all levels,” he noted.

Over 40 Sponsored Bills, Says Lawmaker

Highlighting his legislative contributions, Rotimi revealed he had sponsored over 40 bills in the House.

“By the grace of God, I have sponsored over 40 bills, including the bill to prevent and redress sexual harassment in educational institutions, the bill on independent candidacy, and the whistle-blowers protection bill,” he said.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Senate to expedite passage of the Electoral Bill 2025, warning that further delays could undermine reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a recent statement, accused the APC-led Senate of deliberately slowing down the process.

“The ADC calls on the National Assembly to promptly pass the bill. Any further delay poses a serious risk to the credibility of the 2027 general elections and the integrity of the entire electoral process,” he warned.

Rotimi, however, urged Nigerians to remain confident in the process, pledging that the final version of the reform bill would reflect public expectations and correct past electoral deficiencies.