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“Electoral Act Reforms: NASS Approves Dedicated Fund For INEC, E-Transmission, And More”.
In response to criticism over the recently signed Electoral Act, 2026, President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the National Assembly (NASS) has clarified that it consulted extensively with key stakeholders—including the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organizations (CSOs), and development partners—over a two-year period before the law’s enactment.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The new law now makes electronic transmission of election results, use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and creation of a digital membership register by all political parties mandatory for primaries conducted with INEC oversight.
Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) outlined other major reforms, highlighting the establishment of a dedicated fund for INEC to ensure its financial autonomy, operational stability, and administrative continuity.
The Act also empowers the commission to recommend a two-year jail term for any Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) who withholds vital documents, mandates an electronic register of voters, and increases campaign spending limits for various elective offices.
Bamidele noted that NASS harmonized different versions of the Electoral Bill, particularly Clause 60(3), to avoid constitutional issues ahead of the 2027 general elections. He stressed that the law’s development was a collective effort involving key stakeholders, not a unilateral parliamentary action.
“The National Assembly worked with the AGF, CSOs, INEC, and development partners, incorporating their inputs into the Act. Given this inclusive process, there is no need for prolonged Executive review before assent,” Bamidele said.
He added that the new electoral governance framework strengthens institutional independence, improves transparency, integrates technology in elections, and reinforces accountability in the system.
Among key provisions, Section 3 establishes INEC’s dedicated fund, requiring election funds to be released at least six months before elections and allowing the commission to review questionable results declared under duress. Section 47 mandates presiding officers to use BVAS or any other technological device approved by INEC for voter accreditation.
Section 60(3) requires electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), with Section 60(6) prescribing six months’ imprisonment, a N500,000 fine, or both for any presiding officer who frustrates this process. The law allows the use of Form EC8A as a backup if electronic transmission fails due to communication issues.
Section 72(2) permits a certified true copy of a court order to suffice for swearing in a candidate when INEC fails to issue a certificate of return. Section 74(1) requires RECs to release certified true copies of any document within 24 hours of payment, with failure attracting a minimum two-year jail term.
Unlike the 2022 Electoral Act, the 2026 law allows only direct and consensus primaries, phasing out indirect primaries to broaden participation and reduce the influence of money in delegate selection. Section 77 requires political parties to maintain digital registers, issue membership cards, and submit registers to INEC at least 21 days before primaries, congresses, or conventions.
The Act also raised campaign spending limits: presidential elections from N5 billion to N10 billion; governorship from N1 billion to N3 billion; Senate from N100 million to N500 million; House of Representatives from N70 million to N250 million; House of Assembly from N30 million to N100 million; Area Council from N30 million to N60 million; and councillorship from N5 million to N10 million.
Section 125 strengthens measures against vote buying, impersonation, and result manipulation, prescribing two-year imprisonment or fines of N500,000–N2 million, or both, upon conviction.
Bamidele concluded: “The Electoral Act, 2026 consolidates and refines Nigeria’s electoral governance framework, enhancing electoral credibility, reducing disputes, and strengthening democratic governance.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has strongly opposed reported moves by the state government to revisit the alleged Offa robbery case involving former Governor Abubakar Bukola Saraki and others.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that the party made its position known during an emergency press conference in Ilorin on Friday, describing the development as politically motivated and unjust.
PDP spokesman, Comrade Olushola Adewara, said the alleged plan to reopen the case amounts to an attempt to politicise a matter that has already been concluded by the courts.
He alleged that the move was targeted at dragging Saraki into a case in which, according to him, legal authorities had previously found no evidence linking him to the incident.
Adewara referenced earlier legal opinions from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, which reportedly stated that Saraki was not connected to the robbery case.
The party insisted that suspects in the case had already been prosecuted and convicted, with judgments upheld at appellate levels, while the matter is currently before the Supreme Court.
PDP urged Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to focus on governance rather than what it described as attempts to revive old political narratives.
It also called on security agencies to monitor the situation closely, warning that such actions could heighten political tension in the state.
The party further appealed to residents, especially families of victims in Offa, not to allow their pain to be used for political purposes.
Senator representing Oyo South, Sharafadeen Alli, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo State governorship election ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that Alli, who serves under the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the declaration on Friday during a formal event held at the Police Field in Yemetu, Ibadan North Local Government Area.
The APC chieftain and Ekaarun Balogun of Ibadanland said he will be running on the platform of his party.
The event attracted thousands of APC leaders, stakeholders, and members, including top political figures such as Senator Yunus Akintunde, House of Representatives members Akin Alabi, Aderemi Oseni, Akeem Adeyemi, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, Tajudeen Abisodun, and Senator Hamzat Adeseun.
Also in attendance were former Deputy Governor Iyiola Oladokun, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, and Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, among others.
Alli said his decision followed wide consultations with stakeholders and was driven by his desire to advance the development of Oyo State.
He noted his past political experience, including serving as Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government and Secretary to the Oyo State Government under Senator Rasidi Ladoja, as well as his current role in the Senate, where he said he has consistently advocated for his constituents.
According to him, his ambition is focused on delivering better governance and moving the state forward.
A PDP chieftain and convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that Showunmi made the announcement during a courtesy visit to the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) secretariat in Abeokuta on Friday.
He called for a broad political coalition involving opposition parties and grassroots groups to challenge what he described as the failures of dominant political forces in the state.
Showunmi argued that political parties may choose or endorse candidates, but insisted such arrangements must not deny voters a genuine electoral choice.
He said: “I will be running for governor in the 2027 governorship election. I have come to plead with you to set up a small committee… to determine how we can collaborate to make this happen.”
He also questioned whether Ogun State would experience a “coronation” or a competitive election process, urging stakeholders to allow open political contest.
The PDP chieftain noted that Ogun West’s long-standing exclusion from producing a governor is a legitimate grievance, but stressed that aspirations must still be tested through competition.
He advocated issue-based campaigns ahead of 2027, rejecting “money politics” and challenging aspirants to public debates on governance.
Showunmi maintained that he has no history of violence or political thuggery, insisting the election should be centred on ideas and development plans for the state.
In response, IPAC leadership and other political actors at the event called for collaboration and careful selection of leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
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