Category Nigeria News

Proceedings in the Senate have been momentarily stalled as lawmakers began clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, following a motion to rescind the earlier amendment.

The motion to rescind the bill was formally seconded on Tuesday, paving the way for the upper chamber to dissolve into the committee of the whole for detailed reconsideration and reenactment of the proposed legislation.

During the session, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, reeled out the clauses one after the other for deliberation. However, the process stalled when at clause 60, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC/Abia South) raised a point of order, drawing immediate attention on the floor.

Following the intervention, murmurs spread across the chamber as lawmakers began speaking in small groups and approaching the Senate President’s desk for consultations.

The session immediately moved into a closed-door session.

READ ALSO: Senate Moves To Reconsider Electoral Act Amendment

Before rescinding the Electoral Act, the Red Chamber raised concerns over the timing of the 2027 general elections and technical inconsistencies in the legislation.

Rising under Order 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved the motion to reverse the earlier passage of the bill and return it to the Committee of the Whole for fresh deliberations.

He explained that the development follows the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of a timetable fixing the 2027 general elections for February 2027, after consultations with the leadership of the National Assembly.

Bamidele stated that stakeholders had raised concerns that the proposed date conflicts with the provisions of the amended law, particularly the requirement that elections be scheduled not later than 360 days before the expiration of tenure.

He noted that upon critical review of the passed bill, the 360-day notice requirement prescribed in Clause 28 could result in the scheduling of the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections during the Ramadan period.

According to him, holding elections during Ramadan could negatively affect voter turnout, logistical coordination, stakeholder participation, and the overall inclusiveness and credibility of the electoral process.

The trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, continued on Monday, February 16, 2026, with the 17th Prosecution Witness, PW17, Ahmed Audu Abubakar, linking Bello with funds from the Kogi State Government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Ali Bello, a nephew of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, alongside Dauda Sulaiman, on a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of ₦10,270,556,800.00.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness, an investigator with the EFCC, identified Exhibit F as a document recovered in the course of investigation that contains details of inflows and outflows of funds.

In response to the prosecution counsel’s enquiry on $91,000.00 outflow, dated February 5, 2021, the witness disclosed that the amount was paid to “Oga Ali,” a reference to the first defendant, Ali Bello.

On February 6, 2021, the witness identified an outflow of ₦150,000.00, released to “Presido.”

READ ALSO: Yahaya Bello Hails Tinubu As Angel Sent By God To Fix Nigeria

He explained that “Rashido” referred to one Abdulrasheed, who came from Lokoja to transport money, stating that ₦150 million was moved from Lokoja to the bureau de change operator.

The witness also identified entries, dated February 19, 2021, showing an endorsement of ₦10 million paid to Ali Bello and ₦500,000.00 to Daud. He clarified that “Alhaji Ali” also refers to the first defendant, while “Daud” refers to the second defendant, Dauda Sulaiman.

On investigation findings relating to account number 1000688500 belonging to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, with transfers of ₦80 million and ₦20 million, the witness testified that the payments were for Plot 1060, located in Gwarimpa, Abuja, made by the company. The ₦100 million total, he said, was paid to Dantata and Sawoe and reflected in Exhibit F.

“There were 10 entries of ₦10 million each, making a total of ₦100 million. The source is Maigari Murtala, an ally of the first defendant and a contact with the Bureau de Change operator,” he said.

The irrevocable power of attorney for the said property was subsequently tendered in evidence by the prosecution, marked Exhibit Q.

The prosecution counsel’s attempt to tender the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, dated November 29, 30; December 1, 10, 11 and 12, 2022 for the first defendant, and November 30 and December 1, 2022 for the second defendant was objected to by counsel to the first and second defendants on the alleged ground that their admissibility did not comply with Section 15(4) and Section 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, particularly with regards to the voluntariness of audio-visual recording of statements.

After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Omotosho ruled for the immediate commencement of a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements, with PW17 testifying as the first prosecution witness in the sub-trial.

In his testimony, the witness identified the statements of the defendants and affirmed that they were voluntarily made.

“In EFCC, we have a standard. No threats, no promises, and statements were taken in the presence of their counsel, with Z.E. Abbas being the most present,” he said.

Following the proceedings in the sub-trial, the statements were admitted in evidence, as there was no further objection from counsel.

The Senate has initiated steps to rescind and recommit the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026, citing concerns over the timing of the 2027 general elections and technical inconsistencies in the legislation.

Rising under Order 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved the motion to reverse the earlier passage of the bill and return it to the Committee of the Whole for fresh deliberations.

Bamidele explained that the development follows the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of a timetable fixing the 2027 general elections for February 2027, after consultations with the leadership of the National Assembly.

He stated that stakeholders had raised concerns that the proposed date conflicts with the provisions of the amended law, particularly the requirement that elections be scheduled not later than 360 days before the expiration of tenure.

READ ALSO: Reps In Rowdy Session Over Motion To Rescind ‘Real-Time’ Clause In Electoral Act

The Ekiti Central lawmaker noted that upon critical review of the passed bill, the 360-day notice requirement prescribed in Clause 28 could result in the scheduling of the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections during the Ramadan period.

According to him, holding elections during Ramadan could negatively affect voter turnout, logistical coordination, stakeholder participation, and the overall inclusiveness and credibility of the electoral process.

The motion also highlighted discrepancies discovered in the Long Title and several clauses of the bill, including Clauses 6, 9, 10, 22, 23, 28, 29, 32, 42, 47, 51, 60, 62, 64, 65, 73, 77, 86, 87, 89, 93, and 143. The identified issues reportedly affected cross-referencing, serial numbering, and internal consistency within the legislation.

Meanwhile, there was a rowdy session in the House of Representatives as lawmakers disagreed over a motion seeking to rescind the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which contained real-time electronic transmission of results.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, had moved a motion for the House to rescind its decision on the bill, which was passed on December 23, in line with the Senate’s position on real-time electronic transmission of election results.

When the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, put the motion to a voice vote, the “nays” were louder than the “ayes”, but he ruled that the ayes had it.

The House of Representatives was in a rowdy session on Tuesday as lawmakers disagreed over a motion seeking to rescind the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which contained real-time electronic transmission of results.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, had moved a motion for the House to rescind its decision on the bill, which was passed on December 23, in line with the Senate’s position on real-time electronic transmission of election results.

When the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, put the motion to a voice vote, the “nays” were louder than the “ayes”, but he ruled that the nays had it.

The ruling triggered protests from lawmakers, who began shouting in objection, prompting the speaker to call for an executive session.

Meanwhile, a lawmaker who spoke to Channels Television on grounds of anonymity says the issue of non-payment of contractors is also being deliberated in the executive session, and members are insisting on not sitting until their contractors are paid.

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, on Tuesday said the Federal Government has no interest in prosecuting former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

El-Rufai, 66, faces cybercrime charges over the alleged unlawful interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

The case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 was filed by the Federal Government on Monday, barely three days after El-Rufai said during a live interview that the NSA’s phone conversation was intercepted, and that he heard the NSA directing security operatives to detain him.

Weighing in on the matter during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Effiong said the Nigerian government has not shown seriousness with the case.

“I am telling Nigerians that the Federal Government of Nigeria has no interest in prosecuting Nasiru El-Rufai on this issue. There are no interested in prosecuting him,” the lawyer said.

READ ALSO: FG Sues El-Rufai Over NSA Phone-Tapping Claims

Speaking further, the lawyer argued that the charges the government filed against the former governor through the State Security Services (SSS) does not have some particulars.

“A charge must have particulars. What is the name of the equipment? When was it acquired? Where was it kept? Who has access to that equipment? These are questions that a serious investigative agency has to answer. What is their attitude to it.

In the first count, the government alleged that El-Rufai admitted during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on 13 February that he and others unlawfully intercepted Mr Ribadu’s phone communications.

Prosecutors said the alleged act contravenes Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

In count two, SSS accused the former governor of stating during the same interview that he knew and associated with an individual who unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s communications but failed to report the person to security agencies, contrary to Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.

The third count alleged that El-Rufai and others now at large used technical equipment or systems in a manner that compromised public safety and national security by intercepting Mr Ribadu’s communications, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

A date for his arraignment has not yet been fixed.

The former governor previously backed President Bola Tinubu’s emergence as All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in 2023.

They parted ways politically, with El Rufai turning into Tinubu’s fierce critic, after the president’s intial move to appoint the former Kaduna State governor as a minister fell through.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu says the National Assembly committee on harmonisation of the Electoral Act will meet today and finalise its decision on the bill. 

Orji, an ex-governor of Abia State, said this on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily. 

“Regarding the feedback from Nigerians about the Electoral Act amendment, I can tell you it is on track. We had an emergency sitting last week, and we are having another one today. We were originally supposed to resume on the 24th, possibly for budget hearings, but we have shut down the budget hearings for now to focus on the Electoral Committee,” the Abia North lawmaker said on the breakfast show.

“I am a member of the Joint Harmonization Committee. I was in the office from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. When they suggested we go to the Senate President’s house to harmonize our decision, I declined because I needed to eat and sleep after sitting at the National Assembly all day. That process—the harmonization—has officially started. You will hear from us soon.”

His comment came more than one week after the Senate appointed a 12-member committee to work with the House of Representatives for the harmonisation of the Electoral Act.

This was after the lawmakers opted for a flexible model for the transmission of election results, citing technical issues with the network.

The Senate approved the electronic transmission of results but omitted the “real-time” clause. It said the manual collation of results will be the backup option in cases of technological failure.

Their position differs from that of the House of Representatives, which approved the “real-time” upload of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

The Senate’s decision on Clause 60 (3) of the amended Electoral Act Bill prompted backlash from Nigerians and civil society organisations over the omission of the “real-time” phrase. 

However, Kalu has defended the decision, saying it was in the best interest of Nigerians.

“What do you mean by real-time? We never discussed electronic voting; we talked about transmission. Voting is always manual. Transmission happens as we finish the job,” he said.

Senator Kalu also clarified his position about a trending video of him commenting on the electronic transmission of election results.

“Regarding the ‘no network’ comment—I said that six years ago. Some hoodlums on social media took that and claimed I wouldn’t vote for electronic transmission. That is not true. As a Christian, I can tell you 95% of senators support electronic transmission,” Kalu said.