Politics
Nigerian Senate Passes Controversial Electoral Act Amendment Bill Amid Heated Debate
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, following intense deliberations and a dramatic division vote on the contentious issue of electronic transmission of election results.
The bill, which seeks to repeal and re-enact the existing Electoral Act to address perceived gaps ahead of the 2027 general elections, was approved after a rowdy plenary session presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Key amendments include provisions allowing both electronic and manual transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) IReV portal, with manual transmission permitted as a fallback in cases of network failure or technical issues.
The most heated contention centered on Clause 60(3), which includes a proviso retaining the option for manual transmission. Opposition senators, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, demanded a division vote under Senate rules. In the tally, 55 senators voted in favor of retaining the proviso, while 15 opposed it primarily from opposition benches.
The passage came after the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion to reverse an earlier consideration and recommit the bill to the Committee of the Whole for fresh review.
Debates also covered adjustments to election timelines, including a reduction in the mandatory notice period for elections to avoid overlapping with the 2027 Ramadan period, as well as other legal and procedural clarifications.
The House of Representatives has since aligned with the Senate’s position on key issues, including the dual transmission mechanism and the scrapping of indirect party primaries in some contexts, passing a harmonized version amid protests and walkouts in the lower chamber.
Critics, including opposition parties like the PDP, have described the retention of manual transmission options as a “treacherous betrayal” of Nigerians’ demand for fully electronic processes to enhance transparency and reduce electoral malpractices. Supporters argue the hybrid approach provides necessary flexibility in areas with poor network coverage.
The harmonized bill now awaits concurrence between both chambers (if not already fully aligned) before transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
The amendments aim to strengthen preparations for the 2027 polls, though they have sparked widespread debate on the future of electoral integrity in Nigeria.
The development follows earlier versions passed by the House in December 2025 and the Senate’s initial considerations earlier this month.
Politics
APC pegs presidential ticket at N100 million, governorship N60 million
According to the schedule of activities released by its National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, senatorial aspirants will purchase the forms for N20 million while House of Representatives aspirants will pick them for 10million.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) says that it’s Presidential ticket will be decided on May 15 and 16, candidates for the Houses of Assembly in 36 states would be elected on May 21; while the National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) shadow polls will take place on May 28 and 30.
In the comprehensive timetable released to INEC, presidential aspirants will pick the Expression of Interest Form for N30 million and the Nomination Forms for N70 million.
Also, governorship contenders will obtain the Expression of Interest Form for N20 million and the Nomination Form for N40 million.
According to the schedule of activities released by its National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, senatorial aspirants will purchase the forms for N20 million while House of Representatives aspirants will pick them for 10 million Naira.
Those eyeing the House of Assembly tickets will obtain the forms for N6 million.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially released its Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the party disclosed that the schedule was signed by its National Organising Secretary, His Excellency Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, OFR.
The timetable provides detailed timelines for key pre-election activities, including the screening of aspirants, appeals processes, primary elections, and directives on the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms.
The APC reassured its members, stakeholders, and the Nigerian public of its commitment to conducting credible, transparent, and inclusive primary elections.
“The party remains dedicated to strengthening internal democracy and consolidating its progressive ideals through a fair and orderly process,” the statement added.
The release of the timetable marks a significant early step by the ruling party as preparations for the 2027 polls begin in earnest.
Politics
Gbenga Daniel shut out from Ogun East APC Meeting
Upon arrival in a white bus branded “BAT OGD Movement,” Daniel—also known as OGD—was reportedly denied entry on the orders of a local government chairman, who allegedly claimed the directive “came from higher authorities.
• Gbenga Daniel address supporters from his vehicle outside APC East meeting in Ijebu- Ode, Monday April 20.
The former governor and senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, was on Monday blocked from gaining access to the venue of the caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East Senatorial District.
The meeting, held at Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode, included past chairmen, past and present National Assembly members, councillors, among others.
However, videos circulating on social media showed that Senator Daniel’s convoy was prevented from entering the venue.
Upon arrival in a white bus branded “BAT OGD Movement,” Daniel—also known as OGD—was reportedly denied entry on the orders of a local government chairman, who allegedly claimed the directive “came from higher authorities.
”In one of the clips, Daniel’s security personnel were seen engaging individuals at the gate in an attempt to gain access, but were unsuccessful.
The situation turned tense as supporters of the senator gathered, chanting: “OGD, OGD, OGD.”
Daniel later addressed his supporters from his vehicle:”We are here for our caucus meeting, and I got here by 10 a.m. They said that we shouldn’t enter the venue in Ijebu-Ode.”
His media aide, Steve Oliyide, confirmed the incident and described the meeting as a gathering of loyalists of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.
According to Oliyide, the meeting notice was issued at midnight and invited all National Assembly members, including Daniel.”
John Ternus is Apple’s incoming CEO
UK GMC confirms more than 4,600 Nigerian doctors migrate to UK in three years
NCC, CBN launch telecom industry portal to track fraudulent phone lines
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Politics2 hours agoAPC pegs presidential ticket at N100 million, governorship N60 million
-
Politics14 hours agoChief Bode George Writes President Tinubu “Protect the democratic space, not shrink it”
-
Entertainment12 hours agoMy son wants me to re-marry – Tiwa Savage
-
Business3 days agoFG restricts paracetamol ,16 other products for local manufacturing
-
News2 hours ago536 blind candidates participate in 2026 UTME
-
Politics13 hours agoGbenga Daniel shut out from Ogun East APC Meeting
-
Sports2 days agoFormer NFF chairman Ibrahim Galadima dies at 78
-
News12 hours agoPresident Tinubu Appoints New DG/CEO for National Biosafety Management Agency