Reps Reject Bill Mandating Presidential Candidates To Secure Over 50% Votes

A bill that would have required winning candidates for governor and president to receive more than 50% of the total votes cast in order to be declared winners has been rejected by the house of representatives.

The bill that aims to alter the present simple majority system of electing the president and governors faced a defeat on the floor of the green chamber on Wednesday.

In the event that more than two candidates are running for president, the bill, which was sponsored by Rivers lawmaker Awaji–Inombek Abiante, aimed to require that the winner be declared only if that candidate receives more than half of the total votes cast.

The bill had not even been debated when lawmakers roundly rejected it.

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, called for the bill to be seconded after its presentation by Abiante.

However, as soon as the bill was seconded and put to a voice vote, it was rejected — with louder “nays” than “ayes”.

The bill’s rejection process was highly unusual, as bills are typically rejected after the general principle has been debated.

If this system had been deployed during the 2023 election, President Bola Tinubu would not have been declared winner of the election in the first ballot, as he did not secure the majority of total votes cast. [CONTINUE READING HERE]