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National Assembly Panel Schedules Monday Meeting To Harmonise Electoral Bill

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Members of the National Assembly’s Conference Committee, tasked with reconciling differences in the recently passed Electoral Amendment Bill, are scheduled to meet on Monday, February 16.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The panel, composed of lawmakers from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, has been given a one-week deadline to harmonise contentious clauses, particularly those concerning the electronic transmission of election results.

This move comes as the National Assembly prepares to forward the unified bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections. Both chambers had earlier passed differing versions, with disagreements mainly over technological frameworks for result collation and transmission.

In line with legislative procedures, a joint conference committee was formed to produce a version acceptable to both chambers.

“The harmonisation is taking place on Monday,” a National Assembly source told Punch via WhatsApp on Thursday.

A major point of contention remains the electronic transmission clause, which drew renewed focus after the 2023 elections when INEC faced criticism for failing to upload presidential results to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in real time. While both chambers now support restoring electronic transmission, civil society groups and opposition lawmakers continue to push for clear legal provisions to ensure transparency.

Senator Seriake Dickson, former Bayelsa State Governor and member of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, confirmed the likely meeting date but noted he was not part of the Conference Committee. He added, “We are hoping it may take place next Monday,” while urging the committee to adopt the House version fully to maintain public trust.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured Nigerians that the harmonised bill would be sent to President Tinubu before the end of the month. Sources indicate that Senator Simon Lalong (Plateau South) had tentatively confirmed Monday, February 16, 2026, as the date for the reconciliation meeting, noting that members may be excused from ongoing budget defence exercises to focus on the bill.

While the House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, did not formally confirm the meeting, he noted that committee members from both chambers had already begun consultations. Committee members Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) and Iduma Igariwey (PDP, Ebonyi) also said the meeting would likely hold on Monday, though neither offered a firm confirmation.

The outcome of the meeting is expected to finalise the amended Electoral Act and signal the National Assembly’s stance on a central issue in electoral reforms—the role of technology in ensuring credible elections.

The House version of the bill mandates real-time electronic transmission of results in Section 60(3): “The Commission shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the IReV portal in real time, and such transmission shall be done simultaneously with the physical collation of results.”

The Senate version, however, specifies that results be transmitted after Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the Presiding Officer and countersigned by candidates or polling agents. It further provides that if electronic transmission fails, the signed and stamped Form EC8A will serve as the official source for collation and declaration of results.

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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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