A coalition of prominent civic, labour, and political leaders, under the aegis of the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), has petitioned the National Assembly to amend electoral laws to mandate that any elected official who defects from the party under which they were elected automatically loses their seat.
In a petition submitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on December 10, 2025, the group argued that such a provision would strengthen party discipline, uphold electoral integrity, and protect the democratic will of voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The MCE is led by notable figures including political economist Prof. Pat Utomi, former Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana, and former Minister of Education Dr. Oby Ezekwesili.
The petition calls for comprehensive electoral reforms, urging the House of Representatives to prioritise amendments that would:
– Strengthen the Electoral Act to close existing loopholes and enhance accountability.
– Mandate electronic transmission and real-time publication of polling-unit results on INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
– Tighten enforcement and penalties for electoral offences.
– Strengthen INEC’s independence through autonomous funding and enhanced professional training for staff.
The coalition also stated that making cross-carpeting a ground for the immediate forfeiture of a mandate followed by the conduct of a fresh election, would reduce opportunistic defections and ensure that elected officials remain accountable to the electorate and the platforms that sponsored them.
This demand comes amid rising public concern over political defections, especially among federal and state lawmakers, which critics say undermine political stability and voter confidence.
