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Senate Amends 2026 Electoral Act, Makes Appeal Court Final Court On Pre-election Matters

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The Nigerian Senate has passed new amendments to the Electoral Act 2026, designating the Court of Appeal as the highest judicial authority for settling pre-election disputes involving governorship, National Assembly, and State Houses of Assembly elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The upper chamber also granted the Court of Appeal original jurisdiction over presidential pre-election disputes, with appeals from such cases directed straight to the Supreme Court. This effectively removes intermediate courts from the process.

The bill, which passed second and third readings in the Senate, was sponsored by Senator Simon Bako Lalong, who represents Plateau South.

Addressing Forum Shopping And Legal Confusion

The amendment aims to curb the practice of “forum shopping,” where litigants deliberately file cases in courts they believe may favour their position. This practice has often resulted in conflicting judgments from courts of equal standing, creating legal uncertainty around elections.

By clearly defining court jurisdictions, the new law seeks to ensure faster and more consistent resolution of disputes, especially those concerning candidate eligibility before elections are conducted.

It also introduces a new Section 29A into the Electoral Act and modifies Section 29, establishing clearer guidelines on which courts handle specific categories of pre-election cases.

Under the revised Section 29(5), aggrieved aspirants are permitted to file cases either in the Federal Capital Territory or in the jurisdiction where the dispute originated.

Lalong: Strong Legal Framework Key To Electoral Integrity

Leading the debate, Senator Lalong stressed that credible elections begin long before voting day, noting that party primaries and candidate selection are critical to democratic legitimacy.

He warned that ambiguity in the legal framework has contributed to manipulation and delays in electoral justice.

“When the legal framework is uncertain, the entire electoral process becomes exposed to confusion, forum shopping, contradictory rulings, and unnecessary delays,” he said.

Lawmakers Back Reform

Several senators supported the bill during plenary.

Senator Ekong Sampson of Akwa Ibom South described forum shopping as a serious threat to democracy, saying it undermines fairness and stability in the political system.

He expressed confidence that the reform would promote consistency and restore trust in electoral adjudication.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole of Edo North also backed the amendment, noting that it would reduce prolonged court cases that often follow party primaries and candidate selection processes.

House Of Representatives Had Earlier Taken Lead

The Senate’s approval follows a similar move by the House of Representatives, which had earlier passed a comparable amendment making the Court of Appeal the final court for pre-election disputes involving governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly elections.

The House version was sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu alongside several committee chairmen, including those overseeing Electoral Matters, Defence, Ports and Harbour, and Police Affairs.

Presenting the bill, Kalu said the amendment would bring “clarity, certainty, and uniformity” to the handling of pre-election disputes nationwide.

With both chambers now in agreement, the amended Electoral Act 2026 is set to become the guiding legal framework for pre-election dispute resolution in Nigeria.

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The June 24th Showdown: El-Rufai’s Legal Battle Faces New Delay As Court Demands Full Representation!.

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Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai appeared at the Federal High Court in Kaduna this Wednesday morning, June 24, 2026, for the ongoing trial regarding alleged financial misconduct. Arriving around 9:30 a.m. under security escort, the former governor faces charges brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) concerning allegations of financial impropriety, fraud, and abuse of office during his administration. While El-Rufai maintains his innocence, the ICPC asserts that it has sufficient evidence to back the charges.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • Trial Resumption: The hearing was previously pushed to June 24, 2026, due to the absence of two co-defendants. It is expected that these individuals will appear at today’s proceedings as the court resumes its review of the substantive matter.

  • Bail Conditions: In April 2026, Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted El-Rufai bail for ₦200 million, requiring two sureties—a traditional ruler and a civil servant (serving or retired) on at least Grade Level 15. The court later rejected the former governor’s request to relax these strict requirements.

  • Media Access: Consistent with previous sessions in this case, members of the press were not permitted inside the courtroom to report on the proceedings.

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“I’m Done!” Senator Maidoki’s Explosive Claim That He Never Wanted To Be A Politician!.

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Senator Garba Maidoki, representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, has revealed that he entered the political arena solely to address the persistent insecurity affecting his constituency. During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Maidoki emphasized that he possessed no personal desire for a political career. He noted that after exhausting local efforts to protect his community, he realized that leveraging the power of the ballot was a more effective solution than resorting to arms.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a related development on Tuesday, Maidoki officially defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This move follows ongoing internal disputes within the APC in Kebbi State, particularly regarding the handling of recent primary elections. His transition was formalized after a letter announcing his departure was read by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin during a plenary session. In his communication to the Senate President, Maidoki cited the ruling party’s failure to uphold its principles and unresolved internal crises as the primary reasons for his resignation from the APC.

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Caught Off Guard! Peter Obi Reveals His Emotional Reaction When A Young Girl Challenged His Broken Promises!.

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Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), recently recounted a memorable experience from his tenure as the Governor of Anambra State, where a young student held him accountable for unfulfilled promises. During an interview with Advocacy For Good Governance, the former governor described how this took place at a public town hall meeting designed to foster dialogue between officials and the public.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The encounter unfolded as follows:

  • The event took an unexpected turn when a junior secondary school student stood up and directly challenged him, asking why he failed to keep his promises.

  • The question immediately shifted the tone of the meeting, causing the audience to fall silent and focus intently on the issue.

  • Rather than dismissing the girl’s complaint, Obi chose to investigate the matter.

  • He discovered that her school had been promised repairs and facility improvements that had not yet been executed.

  • Following this realization, he took immediate action to ensure the repairs were completed.

Obi noted that this experience served as a significant lesson on the importance of leadership and accountability. He emphasized that leaders must remain open to correction, regardless of the source, and that public trust is built when leaders follow through on their commitments. Furthermore, he remarked that staying connected to the citizenry allows leaders to gain a clearer understanding of the challenges facing the people.

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