The House of Representatives has amended the Electoral Act to make the Court of Appeal the final authority in pre-election disputes involving governorship, National Assembly and state houses of assembly contests.
The amendment was passed during plenary on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, as part of efforts to streamline the handling of electoral cases and reduce delays in the resolution of disputes.
Under the proposed amendment, pre-election matters arising from governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and state assembly contests will begin at the Federal High Court. Appeals from such cases will end at the Court of Appeal.
For presidential pre-election disputes, the Court of Appeal will serve as the court of first instance, while any appeal will go directly to the Supreme Court.
The bill was sponsored by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, alongside four committee chairmen: Adebayo Balogun, Babajimi Benson, Nnolim Nnaji and Makki Yalleman.
Balogun said the amendment is designed to provide clarity and uniformity in the resolution of pre-election disputes arising from party primaries and other internal party processes.
He said the proposal would help reduce jurisdictional conflicts, forum shopping and avoidable delays that often affect electoral litigation in Nigeria.
The House also amended provisions relating to information submitted by candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Under the proposed law, any aspirant who participated in a party primary may challenge alleged false information submitted by a candidate to INEC.
The amendment further requires candidates to provide identifiable addresses, email addresses, phone numbers or other digital contact channels to INEC.
Lawmakers said the provision would support electronic service of election petition documents through email, SMS or other traceable digital platforms.
According to the amendment, electronic service will be regarded as valid once proof of transmission is established, even where a respondent fails to acknowledge or access the message.
The bill is, however, not yet law. It will require concurrence by the Senate and assent by President Bola Tinubu before it can take effect.
