Abdussamad Dasuki, Deputy Minority Leader of the Nigerian House of Representatives, has urged officials to hold the 2027 elections on a single day.
The proposal seeks to overhaul the current electoral timeline to mitigate systemic risks. By condensing the voting window, proponents argue the government can better manage security and reduce the financial burden of organizing multiple election cycles.
Dasuki called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to implement the single-day format for both federal and state elections [1]. He said the move would help save election costs and prevent fraud. Security is another primary driver for the request, as a shorter timeframe reduces the window for potential violence or interference during the polling process [1].
Beyond the timing of the vote, Dasuki is seeking an amendment to the Electoral Act to address youth participation. Current regulations may exclude some young citizens from the democratic process based on strict age cut-offs. The proposal aims to allow youths who turn 18 before the actual poll date to cast their ballots [2].
Under existing frameworks, some eligible voters may be sidelined by registration deadlines. Specifically, the eligibility cut-off date for youths turning 18 to vote in the 2027 cycle is Jan. 16, 2027 [2]. Amending the Act would ensure that any citizen reaching the legal voting age before the election is permitted to participate.
Dasuki said these changes are necessary to ensure the 2027 [1] elections are more inclusive and efficient. The request for a single-day poll combines administrative efficiency with a push for broader franchise, targeting both the cost of governance and the representation of the youth population.
“Abdussamad Dasuki has urged officials to hold the 2027 elections on a single day.”
This proposal reflects a broader effort to modernize Nigeria's electoral infrastructure ahead of the 2027 cycle. By advocating for a single-day poll, Dasuki is targeting the logistical vulnerabilities that have historically led to fraud and security lapses. Furthermore, the push to lower the age-eligibility barrier suggests an attempt to integrate a growing youth demographic into the political process to increase the legitimacy of the outcome.
