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Reps propose all elections for one day in 2027

The bill sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun (APC, Lagos), also seeks the payment of N50 million by political associations seeking registration as parties, restriction of presidential election expenses to N10 billion…

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The House of Representatives has proposed a single day for the conduct of the five elections in 2027.

The bill sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun (APC, Lagos), also seeks the payment of N50 million by political associations seeking registration as parties, restriction of presidential election expenses to N10 billion, conduct of elections 120 days before the expiration of the incumbent’s term and determination of election petitions within 90 days after the exercise.

Other amendments being proposed by the Lower Chamber of the National Assembly include an amendment to restrict governorship election expenses to N3 billion, representing an increase from N1 billion in the 2022 Electoral Act.Senatatorial, House of Representatives, Houses of Assembly, Chairmanship and Councillorship election expenses are restricted to N500 million, N250 million, N30 million (for State Assembly and Chairman) and N10 million respectively.

If the proposal is upheld, the reviewed Electoral Act would empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to simultaneously conduct the presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship and House of Assembly polls in one day.

The House also took steps to end series of by-elections arising from resignation and death of elected members of the state and National Assembly, proposing that parties who sponsored the lawmaker who died or resigned be made to produce his replacement.

The Electoral Bill 2025 titled: “A bill for an Act to repeal the Electoral Act No 13, 2022 and to enact the Electoral Act 2025, to regulate the conduct of Federal, State and Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory elections and for related matters” had passed through the Second Reading in the House.

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Federal Court declares Pat Utomi’s shadow govt illegal

In the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho, the court held that the concept or formation of a shadow government/cabinet is alien to both the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the presidential system of government that the nation is practising.

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The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday declared the decision of a former presidential candidate, Prof. Patrick Utomi, to form a shadow government in the country as illegal and unconditional.

In the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho, the court held that the concept or formation of a shadow government/cabinet is alien to both the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the presidential system of government that the nation is Federal

Consequently, it issued an order, restraining Prof. Utomi and his associates from proceeding with the plan, saying they could not hide under their right to criticise or hold the government accountable, to engage in unlawful activities.

The judgement followed a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, which was brought before which was brought before the court by the Department of State Services, DSS.

The court held that the agency acted appropriately by approaching it to stop an action capable of posing a threat to national security.

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2027: Jonathan will contest presidency, return to Villa — Jerry Gana

Gana confidently told journalists shortly after the PDP Congress in Minna, Niger State, at the weekend , that Nigerians have experienced two other leaders after Jonathan and were now yearning for his returns.

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The former Minister of Information and Orientation, Professor Jerry Gana, has disclosed that the former President Goodluck Jonathan will contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Gana also expressed optimism that Jonathan would defeat President Bola Ahned Tinubu to reclaim power after 10 years.

Gana confidently told journalists shortly after the PDP Congress in Minna, Niger State, at the weekend , that Nigerians have experienced two other leaders after Jonathan and were now yearning for his returns.

He said : ” In 2015, former President Goodluck Jonathan said his ambition was not worth the blood of Nigerians. After him, another President ruled for eight years, and now another has ruled for two years.

“Nigerians have seen the difference, and the difference is very clear. Nigerians are now asking us to bring back our friend, former President Goodluck Jonathan,” Gana said.

“I can confirm that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will contest the presidential election in 2027 as PDP candidate, and we should be prepared to vote for him to return as President again,” he added.

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Senator Natasha Resumes Back to Legislative Duties While Court Proceedings Continue October 7

Senator Natasha’s office was sealed since the 6th of March, when the Senate slammed a six months suspension on her for alleged gross misconducts and violation of senate rules.

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The National Assembly on Tuesday unsealed the office of the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Ohibaba.com gathered that the Deputy -Director, Sergeant-at-arm, Alabi Adedeji effected the removal of the seal.

Senator Natasha’s office was sealed since the 6th of March, when the Senate slammed a six months suspension on her for alleged gross misconducts and violation of senate rules.

It was however not clear who directed the removal of the seal as her official resumption is still pending until the outcome of her case against the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio, is settled in court.

Nevertheless, Senator Natasha stormed the National Assembly on Tuesday few hours after her office was unsealed to resume legislative duties.

The Kogi Central lawmaker arrived the National Assembly complex at exactly 12:30pm accompanied by hundreds of her supporters amid heavy resistance from the Police and Sergeants-at -arms who were trying to stop many of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters from gaining entrance along with her into the National Assembly.

Akpoti-Uduaghan went straight unhindered to her office that was already cleaned up and decently prepared for her arrival after the doors were unsealed earlier in the day.

Addressing journalists, Natasha narrated the ordeal she passed through in the last six months; -with particular reference to alleged blackmail from Professor Mgbeke on FACEBOOK and insisting that her suspension is illegal.

Unfazed and defiant, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she has no apology whatsoever to tender to the leadership of the National Assembly regarding her alleged misconduct and violation of senate rules.

To the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she can’t be beaten to submission or treated like his house maid.

Meanwhile, ‎the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has fixed 27 October to address the issue of jurisdiction regarding the ongoing defamation trial of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. ‎‎

At the resumption of proceedings, the prosecutor, David Kaswe, was set to begin trial but Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team headed by Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN) raised an objection. ‎‎

The legal team challenged the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court to hear her criminal defamation case.

The key arguments by her lawyers are that the charges are unconstitutional and politically motivated, intended as a witch-hunt to intimidate opposition voices. ‎‎

The defense team contends that defamation is a civil matter and that criminalizing it via the Federal Government’s prosecution is an abuse of prosecutorial power by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

‎‎The defense also noted that the AGF lacks legal right to prosecute private defamation claims and argues that the selective enforcement of these charges violates her constitutional rights and suppresses free speech.‎‎

Her legal team insists the court must determine the jurisdiction issue before any further trial proceedings.

This therefore prompted an adjournment by Justice Chizoba Orji.‎‎

This particular case stems from allegations connected to statements she made concerning Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. ‎‎Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is also on trial at the Federal High Court over cyber crime charges.

That case too is at the stage of determining whether the court has jurisdiction or not.

At the court a section of the senator’s supporters spoke on the reopened of her office at the National Assembly complex.‎‎‎

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