Voter Disillusionment: Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has cautioned that widespread public belief in a predetermined electoral outcome could lead to severe voter apathy in the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Call for Credibility: Speaking on Eagle 102.5 FM, the cleric emphasized that genuine democracy relies entirely on free, fair, and credible polls, warning that flawed processes ultimately yield poor governance and public hardship.

• Institutional Reforms: Onaiyekan stressed the need for systemic improvements—including electoral law reforms and a transparent process for appointing electoral commission leadership—while also highlighting the critical role of security agency neutrality during voting.

Framework Initiative: The Federal Government has initiated the legal and operational framework to introduce state policing in Nigeria, highlighted by a structured seven-week program aimed at drafting a comprehensive National Policing Bill for a dual federal-state structure.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Current Status Clarified: Speaking in Abuja, Presidential Chief of Staff and Working Group Chairman Femi Gbajabiamila emphasized that no state police services are currently operational, noting that the Nigeria Police Force remains the sole constitutionally recognized agency until the amendment process concludes.

• Legislative Progress: Gbajabiamila outlined that while the Senate passed the constitutional proposal on June 24, 2026, and the House of Representatives cleared the Executive State Police Bill on July 23, 2026, the measures still require ratification by state Houses of Assembly.

• Comprehensive Blueprint: The seven-week drafting process is designed to iron out operational details—such as funding, command structures, and safeguards against political interference—to ensure a seamless transition without compromising institutional standards.

Timeline & Target: The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has mapped out a strict seven-week schedule running from July 27 to September 14, 2026, with the completed Executive Bill scheduled for presentation to President Bola Tinubu on September 3.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Leadership & Mandate: Chaired by Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, the committee was established to design the legal and operational blueprints for introducing a dual policing system nationwide.

• Public Engagement: Following presidential approval of the initial draft, a broad national consultation will be rolled out. The committee is actively welcoming memoranda and policy recommendations from civil society groups, security experts, state governments, and interested citizens to fine-tune funding arrangements and constitutional safeguards.

• Next Steps: Insights gathered from stakeholders will shape the final legislative package before it is formally transmitted to the National Assembly, with leadership emphasizing that the aggressive timeline will not compromise thorough drafting standards.