Connect with us

latest

Senate Cuts Election Notice To 300 Days, Retains Manual Backup For Results.

Published

on

The Senate on Tuesday amended Clause 28 of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026, reducing the statutory election notice period from 360 days to 300 days.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The adjustment gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) more flexibility to schedule the 2027 general elections between December 2026 and January 2027. The revised Clause 28 now states that “the Commission shall, not later than 300 days before the day appointed for holding an election under this Bill, publish a notice in each State of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, stating the date of the election; and (b) appointing the place at which nomination papers are to be delivered.”

The amendment followed a motion on the Rescission and Re-Committal of the Electoral Act, 2026, moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. He explained that the earlier 360-day notice could push the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections into the Ramadan period, potentially affecting voter turnout, logistics, stakeholder participation, and the overall credibility of the elections.

Bamidele also highlighted inconsistencies in the Long Title and multiple clauses of the bill—including Clauses 6, 9, 10, 22, 23, 28, 29, 32, 42, 47, 51, 60, 62, 64, 65, 73, 77, 86, 87, 89, 93, and 143—affecting cross-referencing, numbering, and internal coherence.

During clause-by-clause consideration, debate intensified at Clause 60, which governs the transmission of election results. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South) raised a point of order, challenging the proviso that allows Form EC8A to serve as the primary basis for collation where electronic transmission fails. Abaribe sought the removal of this manual backup provision under Order 72(1).

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin cited Order 52(6), arguing it was out of order to revisit a previously ruled provision, which triggered further debate. Senate Leader Bamidele intervened, reminding members that the rescission motion had nullified earlier decisions, allowing reconsideration.

Following the division, Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed senators to vote on the matter. Fifty-five senators voted in favor of retaining the manual backup clause, while 15 opposed it.

The upper chamber subsequently passed the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026, incorporating the 300-day notice period and confirming the retention of manual collation as a contingency for electronic transmission failures.

Advertisement

latest

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

latest

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

latest

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Trending