HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES SECOND READING OF BILL TO MAKE COURT OF APPEAL FINAL ARBITER IN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION PETITIONS

Today, 25th March 2025, the House of Representatives successfully passed the second reading of a bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Make the Court of Appeal the Final Appeal Court in Governorship, National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions and for Related Matters (HB. 1212),” sponsored by Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, Member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency.  

The bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Section 246(3) of the 1999 Constitution, ensuring that the Court of Appeal becomes the final court for governorship, national, and state houses of assembly election petitions. Hon. Ezechi, in his lead debate, argued that this amendment would streamline the electoral justice process, reduce financial burdens on candidates, and enable elected officials to focus on governance without prolonged litigation distractions.  

The bill now proceeds to the Committee stage for further legislative consideration.