The National Association of Nigerian Students has slammed the National Assembly over a proposed bill to make voting mandatory and jail Nigerians who fail to vote.

NANS, in a statement by its National Vice President, Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Akinbodunse Felicia, on Sunday, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, described the bill as not only “ridiculous but laughable,” urging the NASS to ditch the ludicrous idea or face the wrath of the Nigerian students.

The NASS had proposed a new bill, titled ‘Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make it mandatory for all Nigerians of majority age to vote in all National and State Elections and for Related Matters.’

If passed, the bill would make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s electoral landscape.

The proposed bill seeks to amend the current Electoral Act of 2022 by enforcing compulsory participation in national and state elections.

It proposes that any eligible voter who fails to vote without a valid reason would face a penalty, including a fine of N100,000, a six-month jail term, or both.

The bill, which has sparked heated debates across the country, according to NASS, aims to address voter apathy, a persistent issue in Nigerian elections, and increase civic participation in the democratic process.

Since the House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, proposed the bill, it has raised concerns about the imposition of penalties for non-participation.

Akinbodunse, however, in the statement, said the proposed bill is a misplaced priority by the NASS and should be discarded accordingly.

She added that voting, which is a constitutional right of Nigerians who are eligible to vote, cannot be imposed on them, particularly when they strongly feel their votes don’t count.

She noted that instead of the NASS proposing bills to strengthen the electoral process that will truly reflect the wishes of Nigerians, it has busied itself to further strangle Nigerians by proposing punitive measures against non-voters.

Akinbodunse, who declared that NANS will mobilise massively against the bill, urged civil societies, organised labour and other stakeholders to stand against the proposed bill, which she described as a “low one from the National Assembly”.

“NANS views the proposed bill by the National Assembly to impose a fine and a jail term on eligible Nigerians who do not vote, as not only ridiculous but laughable.

“The bill, if it is passed, will make Nigeria a laughing stock among the comity of nations in the world. Where in the world does a nonparticipant in an election get jailed or fined?

“It is unfortunate that NASS, which is saddled with the constitutional responsibility and duties to make laws that will ensure the development of the nation and protect the citizens, is the one proposing a bill capable of strangulating the same people.

“Instead of the NASS to make laws that will strengthen our democracy and enhance the electoral processes, it has busied itself to pass a bill that will infringe on the rights of Nigerians.

“It is known by Nigerians that the country’s electoral processes are still fraught with irregularities and loopholes that give room for electoral fraud and rigging.

“This is the area NANS expects the National Assembly to work on. Rather, it has continued to make Nigerians doubt the competence and sincerity of members of both the Senate and House of Reps.

“This proposed bill is another comedy show from the stable of the NASS. As an umbrella for the students in the country, NANS will mobilise massively against this proposed bill aimed at imposing a needless law on Nigerians.

“NANS leadership hereby urges civil society groups, stakeholders and organised labour to rise against this latest charade by the National Assembly,” the statement stated.

The Presidency has directed the arrowheads of those campaigning for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027 to stop the infamous action on the grounds that it is illegal as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to release the timetable for the general elections.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed this in a statement made available to TheIdeal News on Sunday, also distanced the Presidency from the campaign posters nationwide

According to Onanuga, the Presidency has observed, with dismay, the increasing number of billboards in some cities promoting the 2027 campaign for President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The presidential spokesman also stated that it is regrettable that some of the billboards with pictures of the President and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, emblazoned on them are springing up in Abuja and Kano in particular.

But Onanuga has disclosed that Tinubu and Shettima never support any premature campaign that breaches the laws of the land and the regulations by the electoral body.

The statement reads in part, “While President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima greatly appreciate their teeming and loyal supporters across the country for their enthusiasm and continuing support, the two leaders do not support any campaign that breaches the laws of the land.

“The electoral law that guides the conduct of elections and political campaigns forbids any form of campaign for the 2027 general elections. Premature campaigning can undermine the integrity of the electoral process and create unfair advantages.

“As law-abiding leaders, President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima do not support any action that undermines our institutions and the electoral process.

“Until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sets the timetable for the 2027 elections, the President has not endorsed or authorised anyone or any group to mount a 2027 campaign for him through any media channel—be it Out-of-Home, print, digital, radio, or television.”

Calling on the promoters of the 2027 campaign to desist from the act, the Presidency said, “Therefore, we urgently call on individuals and groups funding this 2027 political campaign through the ongoing deployment of materials on billboards nationwide to cease immediately.

“President Tinubu and his deputy are fully committed to delivering the ongoing task of nation-building they have set for themselves. This commitment is evident in their focus on economic revitalisation, human capital development, infrastructural renewal, social investment, and national security.”

Onanuga added that when INEC signals that the processes for the 2027 elections can start, President Tinubu will duly inform Nigerians of his plans.

Members of the Committee include:

1. Rt. Hon. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere – Chairman

2. Rt. Hon. Ali Isa J.C. – Deputy Chairman

3. Rt. Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim – Member

4. Rt. Hon. Idris Ahmed Wase – Member

5. Rep. Aliyu Muktar Betera – Member

6. Rep. Sada Soli – Member

7. Rep. James Abiodun Faleke – Member

8. Rep. Igariwey Iduma Enwo – Member

9. Rep. Shehu Saleh Rijau – Member

10. Rep. Wole Oke – Member

11. Rep. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi – Member

12. Rep. Patrick Umoh – Member

13. Rep. James Barka – Member

14. Rep. Alex Egbona – Member

15. Rep. Isa Anka – Member

16. Rep. Amos Daniel – Member

17. Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu – Member

18. Rep. Onuh Onyeche Blessing – Member

19. Rep. Fatima Talba – Member

While the Head of Secretariat is Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi.

This development underscores the resolve of the House of Representatives to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and ensure that the extraordinary measures undertaken during the emergency period remain subject to legislative oversight, guided by transparency, accountability, and the best interest of the good people of Rivers State.