the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has announced the withdrawal of the highly controversial Compulsory Voting Bill, which sought to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians. The decision, revealed through a press statement from the Speaker’s office on Monday, May 26, 2025, follows widespread public criticism and legal challenges that branded the bill as unconstitutional and a threat to civil liberties. The move underscores the Speaker’s commitment to listening to Nigerians and prioritizing democratic principles over coercive measures.
The Rise and Fall of the Compulsory Voting Bill
The bill, formally titled A 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, was co-sponsored by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Rep. Daniel Asama Ago of the Labour Party. Introduced to address Nigeria’s persistent issue of voter apathy, the legislation proposed punitive measures for non-compliance, including a fine of ₦100,000 or a six-month jail term for eligible voters who failed to participate in national and state elections. The bill passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on May 15, 2025, sparking intense debate across the country.
Proponents of the bill, led by Rep. Ago, argued that mandatory voting would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic culture by ensuring greater civic participation. Citing the 2023 general elections, where less than 30% of registered voters participated, Ago emphasized that low voter turnout undermines the legitimacy of elections and weakens democratic institutions. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu supported the bill, drawing comparisons to Australia, where voting is compulsory and non-compliance results in sanctions such as fines or the withdrawal of civic benefits. Kalu argued that mandatory voting would ensure every citizen is “counted” in the electoral process, fostering a more inclusive democracy.
However, the bill faced immediate and fierce opposition from lawmakers, legal experts, and the public. Critics, including Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante (PDP, Rivers) and Rep. Mark Esset (PDP, Akwa Ibom), argued that forcing citizens to vote without addressing underlying issues—such as distrust in the electoral process, insecurity, and lack of voter incentives—would be ineffective. Abiante questioned what tangible benefits Nigerians would lose for not voting, while Esset stressed that improving the credibility of elections would naturally boost turnout.
Legal and Constitutional Challenges
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, led the charge against the bill, declaring it unconstitutional and impractical. In a statement on May 20, 2025, NBA President Afam Osigwe described the bill as “draconian” and an affront to civil liberties, arguing that no citizen should be punished for exercising their right to abstain from voting. Falana echoed this sentiment, citing Sections 37, 38, 77(2), 135(5), and 178(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which protect rights to privacy, freedom of thought, and freedom of conscience. He argued that the bill’s legal foundation was “shaky” and that prosecuting millions of non-voters would be logistically impossible. Falana urged the House to focus on substantive electoral reforms, such as implementing the Uwais Electoral Reform Panel’s recommendations, including breaking up the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and resolving election petitions before inaugurations.
Olufemi Ajadi, a stalwart of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), further criticized the bill as a “futile attempt” to enforce civic participation in a country lacking a comprehensive citizens’ database to track eligible voters. He argued that such legislation violates democratic norms and fails to address the root causes of voter apathy, such as distrust in the electoral system and logistical barriers.
A Pattern of Responding to Public Concerns
The withdrawal of the Compulsory Voting Bill is not the first time Speaker Abbas has bowed to public pressure. In August 2024, he withdrew the Counter Subversion Bill, which proposed harsh penalties for actions deemed subversive, such as refusing to recite the national anthem or professing loyalty to organizations disregarding Nigeria’s sovereignty. That bill, also sponsored by Abbas, was abandoned after widespread concerns about its potential to infringe on civil liberties. The Speaker’s decision to withdraw the Compulsory Voting Bill reflects a similar commitment to public engagement and responsiveness, as articulated in his office’s press statement: “Following extensive consultations, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, wishes to inform the public that the bill has been withdrawn.”
The statement emphasized Abbas’s dedication to ensuring the House remains the “People’s House,” a recurring theme in his tenure as Speaker. Elected in June 2023 with an overwhelming 353 out of 359 votes, Abbas has built a reputation as a prolific lawmaker, sponsoring a record-breaking 74 bills between 2019 and 2023, with 21 signed into law. His legislative agenda has focused on transparency, public engagement, and addressing national challenges, including economic diversification, local government reforms, and youth empowerment. However, his sponsorship of controversial bills like the Counter Subversion Bill and the Compulsory Voting Bill has drawn scrutiny, raising questions about balancing bold legislative proposals with public sentiment.
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