In a significant move to boost voter participation, the House of Representatives has advanced a bill that could make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians. The bill, which recently passed its second reading, is spearheaded by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and lawmaker Daniel Ago.
During Thursday’s plenary session, Ago highlighted the urgency of addressing widespread voter apathy, arguing that compulsory voting could be a game-changer for Nigeria’s democracy.
This bill is about strengthening civic duty and ensuring more Nigerians have a say in who leads them,” he explained.
However, not everyone is convinced that mandatory voting is the solution. Mark Esset, a representative from Akwa Ibom State and member of the Peoples Democratic Party, voiced concerns about the deeper issues plaguing the electoral system.
People aren’t staying home on election day just because they’re lazy or uninterested,” Esset pointed out. “There’s a fundamental lack of trust. If citizens believe their votes won’t count, forcing them to the polls won’t solve the problem. We need reforms that ensure transparency and build public confidence.”
As the bill moves through legislative review, the debate raises an important question: Is compulsory voting a step forward—or does the system need more than laws to restore faith in democracy?
