The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned the 10th Senate’s decision to reject critical amendments to the Electoral Act, describing the move as a deliberate effort to undermine Nigeria’s democracy and pave the way for manipulation in future elections.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party urged the Conference Committee on the Electoral Act to override the Senate’s position and approve reforms that align with democratic principles and the aspirations of Nigerians.

The ADC particularly criticized the Senate’s refusal to mandate electronic transmission of election results from polling units, a measure widely seen as essential for enhancing transparency and credibility.

The party also faulted the rejection of provisions allowing electronic downloads of voter cards, as well as reductions in election notice periods and shortened timelines for publishing candidate lists.

These decisions, according to the ADC, represent a setback for improving the efficiency of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and ensuring the integrity of upcoming elections, including those in 2027.

“The actions of the Senate are a deliberate attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democracy,” the statement read. The party accused the APC-led Senate of prioritizing political interests over electoral transparency, warning that such rejections signal an unwillingness to subject elections to genuine public scrutiny.

The condemnation follows the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 after extensive debate, during which lawmakers retained existing provisions for electronic transmission as per the 2022 Act but rejected proposals for compulsory real-time uploads to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio clarified that the chamber did not outright reject electronic transmission but opted against mandating real-time processes.

The ADC’s stance echoes criticisms from other opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (an ADC chieftain), who described the rejection of real-time transmission as an assault on electoral transparency and a tactic to protect incumbents.

The party called on the National Assembly to reconsider these key provisions to safeguard the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process and prevent future rigging opportunities.

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‎During the hearing today, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Joseph Daudu, lead counsel to Yahaya Bello, told the court that the ongoing trial of his client is politically motivated rather than a genuine money laundering case.

‎Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Wednesday, adjourned the money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to February 5 and 6, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
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‎EFCC Witness Confirms Ex-Governor’s Name Not Linked to Transactions
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‎During the hearing today, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Joseph Daudu, lead counsel to Yahaya Bello, told the court that the ongoing trial of his client is politically motivated rather than a genuine money laundering case.
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‎Daudu made the assertion during proceedings in the N80.2 billion money laundering case filed against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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‎The statement came in response to remarks by EFCC lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, who described the mode of payments from Kogi State local government areas as “stealing by disguise.”
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‎During cross-examination of the seventh prosecution witness (PW7), Olomotane Egoro – a Compliance Officer with Access Bank Plc – Daudu SAN elicited key admissions that bolstered the defense position.

‎Egoro, subpoenaed from Access Bank, confirmed under oath that Yahaya Bello never served as chairman of any local government in Kogi State.

He further stated that the contracts in question were awarded by local government chairmen to various contractors, as reflected in the bank statements of companies tendered and admitted as exhibits.
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‎Crucially, the witness reiterated that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in any of the local government transactions under investigation – neither as sender nor recipient of funds.
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‎Addressing Exhibit 33(11) – the statement of account for Keyless Nature Limited – Egoro agreed that the entries were consistent with normal banking transactions.
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‎Daudu SAN then asked: “You drew my lord’s attention to a litany of payments from the 21 local government areas, for example, on 11th October 2022, into Keyless account.

Do you know the purpose of those entries or transactions?”
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The witness replied: “No, my lord.”
‎Egoro also admitted he had no knowledge of the records of any business or contractual relationship between the local governments and Keyless Nature Limited.
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‎He further confirmed that a customer has the right to spend money as they wish unless fraud is involved, and that Access Bank had no court order or fraud report concerning the transactions in Exhibit 33(11).
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‎On inflows into Fayzade Business Enterprise (or similar entities), the witness identified a May 6, 2022 transaction from Okene Local Government Area, noted as “supply of reading materials.”
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Other payments from local governments such as Ogorimagongo, Okehi, Omala, and Yagba included purposes like education materials (N4.4 million), medical items (N7.5 million), sporting equipment (N10.8 million), and medical consumables (N12.2 million), among others ranging from agrochemicals to farm inputs.
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‎Daudu SAN pressed: “Do you know if this defendant (Yahaya Bello) is a local government chairman and which local government in Kogi State?”
‎The witness responded: “No, the defendant wasn’t a local government chairman.”
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed as “entirely false and baseless” allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that civil servants are being pressured to register as members of the ruling party during its ongoing electronic membership registration exercise.

In a strongly worded press statement issued today, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, CON, described the ADC’s accusation as part of a deliberate disinformation campaign aimed at undermining the APC’s innovative digital registration process.

Morka accused the ADC of being “terrified” and “intimidated” by the massive, voluntary turnout of Nigerians joining the APC, inspired by the successes of the Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Tinubu.

He pointed out that the overwhelming response from millions of citizens had forced the party to extend the registration window from January 31 to February 8, 2026, following popular demand.

“The ADC’s nonsensical allegation seeks to cast a shadow over the cutting-edge and pathbreaking digitization of our Party’s membership register,” Morka stated. “This is part of their disinformation campaign, which earlier included the fabrication and circulation of a fake ‘APC membership slip’ purporting that a notorious terrorist had registered as a member of APC.”

The APC spokesperson emphasized that registrations are entirely voluntary and enthusiastic, reflecting widespread public support for the party’s policies and leadership.

“While the ADC continues to fumble and peddle falsehood, our great Party remains focused on its onward march as Africa’s standard-bearer of digital and democratic innovation,” Morka concluded.

The statement comes amid heightened political tensions as parties gear up for future electoral contests, with the APC touting its growing membership as evidence of strong grassroots momentum.