Dual party membership has continued to erode party discipline and weaken democratic accountability in Nigeria. The amendment to Section 77 of the Electoral Act is a bold s tep forward, expressly prohibiting multiple party membership and prescribing strict penalties ₦10 million fine, two years imprisonment, or both to deter political inconsistency. Nonetheless, this must be balanced with Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees freedom of association. The law does not restrict political participation but ensures that party affiliation is singular, clear, and lawful at any given time. For this reform to be effective, political parties must enforce internal discipline through credible membership registers, transparent primaries, and strict adherence to their constitutions. However, enforcement cannot rest on parties alone. The must take decisive steps by establishing a centralised digital membership database, auditing party registers, and enforci...
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