The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has officially withdrawn a controversial bill that sought to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians, following intense public outcry and consultations with key stakeholders.
Co-sponsored by Abbas and Hon. Daniel Ago, who represents Bassa/Jos North federal constituency of Plateau State, the bill aimed to amend the Electoral Act 2022 by introducing compulsory voting, with penalties including a fine of up to N100,000 or a six-month jail term for non-compliance.
In a statement released on Monday, May 26, 2025, and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker explained that while the bill was introduced with noble intentions—namely to boost civic engagement and address Nigeria’s persistently low voter turnout—he had listened to public sentiment and chosen to pull it back.
“From the outset, the bill was introduced with the best of intentions,” the statement read. “Compulsory voting has worked in countries like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, where it has significantly raised voter participation. But we recognise that lawmaking must respect individual freedoms and align with the people’s will.”
Abbas emphasized that while mandatory participation may have been proposed in good faith, it is clear that reforms to Nigeria’s electoral system must be grounded in voluntary civic responsibility rather than compulsion. He added that the House will now focus on exploring more innovative, inclusive, and incentive-based strategies to encourage electoral participation among citizens.
The Speaker’s withdrawal of the bill has been widely welcomed by many Nigerians who had expressed concerns over the potential infringement on personal freedom and the feasibility of enforcement in a country already grappling with voter apathy and electoral distrust.
Kpokirikpo