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Electoral Act Row: Senate Reconvenes Today as Lawmakers’ Phone Numbers Leak Online.

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The Senate is set to convene an emergency plenary session today (Tuesday) amid rising nationwide outrage over its handling of amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly the removal of the clause requiring real-time electronic transmission of election results.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The extraordinary sitting comes less than a week after the passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, and follows intense pressure from civil society organisations, opposition figures, labour unions, professional bodies, regional groups and youth movements seeking clarity on the Senate’s position.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio is expected to preside over the session.

The emergency plenary was announced on Sunday in a statement issued by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, who said the sitting would hold on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, with proceedings scheduled to begin at noon.

The development comes at a time when the Senate is operating with a reduced membership. In the past six months, two senators—Okechukwu Ezea of Enugu State and Godiya Akwashiki of Nasarawa State—passed away, while Senator Jimoh Ibrahim vacated his seat following his appointment as an ambassador-designate by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reducing the number of serving senators from 109 to 106.

Senators Under Pressure

The emergency sitting follows widespread backlash after the Senate passed the amendment bill removing the phrase “real-time” from provisions on electronic transmission of election results.

While Senate leaders insist that electronic transmission was not entirely discarded, critics argue that deleting “real-time” creates ambiguity and could open the door to post-election manipulation.

Several senators, particularly members of the harmonisation committee, have reportedly faced public backlash after their phone numbers circulated on social media, leading to angry calls, online attacks and harassment. Some lawmakers were said to have switched off their phones in response to the pressure.

Labour Threatens Protest

As the controversy escalated, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warned of nationwide protests and possible election boycotts if the Senate fails to clearly enshrine mandatory electronic transmission of results in the law.

The labour body accused the Senate of deepening confusion and eroding public trust in the electoral process through what it described as conflicting explanations.

Meanwhile, a coalition of political activists under the banner of the Movement for Credible Elections staged a protest in Abuja on Monday, tagged “Occupy NASS,” calling on the Senate to reverse its decision.

The outcome of the emergency plenary is expected to determine whether the Senate will revisit the contentious provisions or maintain its earlier stance.

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Police Arrest NSCDC Officer With Pistol, 17 Bullets At Abuja Kubwa Market.

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An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, reportedly arrived at the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday, Naija News reports.

Sanusi said the police received a distress call from Kubwa Market, located in the Bwari Area Council, reporting that a man was shooting into the air.

Following the report, officers attached to the Kubwa Police Division were deployed to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.

According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) in the NSCDC.

He explained that the officer allegedly fired several shots during an argument with the traders.

“During the ensuing argument with the traders, Onoja Samuel, who is a DSC with the NSCDC, fired several shots into the air,” Sanusi said.

The police recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.

Sanusi added that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The commissioner also urged personnel of other security agencies operating in the FCT to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before conducting authorised operations.

He stressed that effective coordination among security agencies was essential to preventing confrontations and maintaining peace across the territory.

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‘We Don’t Want Another Mohbad Case’ – Laolu Gbenjo Speaks On Toluwanisings.

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Nigerian gospel singer Laolu Gbenjo has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information about the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Gbenjo’s warning comes amid growing controversy surrounding the late singer’s death and burial arrangements, with reports of disagreements among members of his family.

The gospel singer spoke on Tuesday during a night of tributes held in honour of Toluwanisings in Ibadan, Oyo State. He warned against allowing the situation to degenerate into a controversy similar to the one that followed the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.

Describing the deceased as a devoted Christian and a genuine servant of God, Gbenjo said Toluwanisings was passionate about his faith and had a good relationship with people.

He urged the public to stop fuelling unnecessary controversy over the late singer’s death, particularly through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

“You can never see Toluwani in the midst of jobless people. He had a good heart. He was a friend to everybody. He served the Lord with all his heart. Don’t turn Toluwani into Mohbad. That madness on TikTok and Instagram must stop. If you are jobless, go and look for a job,” Gbenjo said.

Meanwhile, comedians Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli, have threatened legal action against individuals allegedly linking them to Toluwanisings’ death.

Woli Agba disclosed this in a public notice shared on his Instagram page on Sunday.

In the notice issued by their solicitors, Gemgold, the comedians warned members of the public against publishing or circulating allegations they described as false and defamatory against them.

The legal notice maintained that the allegations were baseless and intended to damage the reputations of the two entertainers.

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El-Rufai’s ₦1bn Legal Battle Takes New Turn As Court Fixes Judgment Date.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in the ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.

However, El-Rufai’s lawyer was absent when the case was initially called. The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted.

Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s court processes and urged the judge to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

Similarly, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the case.

During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, arrived in court and apologised for his lateness.

When Akpan sought the court’s permission to adopt his client’s processes, Justice Abdulmalik informed him that the documents had already been deemed adopted.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.

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