Category Nigeria News

The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, has faulted the assent to the amended electoral bill, saying that it contains provisions that are at variance with the aspirations of Nigerians.

READ ALSO: [UPDATED] Ex-Reps Member Bugaje Accuses Tinubu Of Subverting Popular Will With Speedy Assent To Electoral Bill

“I think that Nigerians need to know that, yes, whilst there might be progressive provisions in the 2026 Act, the cardinal issues that are central to the integrity of elections are those contentious provisions that the Senate or the National Assembly decided to enact provisions that are in variance with the desires of Nigerians.

“And so when you look at some of those provisions, let’s take Section 63, which is one of the most contentious. On the one hand, the Act says that there shall be an electronic transmission of results,” Itodo said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.



He explained that the inclusion of the former EC8A in the amended law — now the Electoral Act 2026 — had legitimise its use in general elections, a decision he said the electorate had kicked due to its use as a tool for results manipulation

“So there is mandatory electronic transmission of results based on this particular drafting, but it’s that proviso that it introduces, and you know what they have now said that in all cases, it is the form EC8A that shall be the primary source of collating results as well as declaring results.

“What they have done to a large extent is just legitimising the current practise, which is that any result on the IREV has no legal effect; it’s only for verification because there’s a superior legal recognition that has been given to the form EC8A,” Itodo said.

“And what Nigerians are saying is the primary instrument of election rigging, the primary instrument of election manipulation is the form EC8A. So if you place primacy on the form EC8A, and that form EC8A becomes falsified, it then renders the electronically transmitted results a nullity, of no effect, and that’s what Nigerians are saying that, ‘No, you cannot place primacy on EC8As because we know that EC8As are often used and historically they are used as tools for results manipulation’.

“And they decided on their own accord, at variance with what Nigerians said, and I think the point needs to be made that the way the National Assembly voted on that particular provision is against the will of the people, and no one should attempt to deceive Nigerians that this was in line with what Nigerians wanted,” he added.

Heated Conversations

The Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 was made law by President Bola Tinubu after it was passed by the National Assembly.

The bill has generated heated debates in the last one week, with lawmakers and prominent Nigerians disagreeing over the method for the transmission of results, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Senate had on Tuesday passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, but not without a rowdy session as the upper chamber resumed proceedings.

The situation was not different at the House of Representatives as lawmakers disagreed over a motion seeking to rescind the passage of the 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.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Usman Bugaje, has accused the All Progressives Congress government led by President Bola Tinubu of subverting the popular will of voters with the speedy assent to the amended electoral bill.

READ ALSO: National Assembly Highlights Key Reforms In Electoral Act 2026

He, however, said that there would be repercussions.

“The executive arm, including the President himself, from the speed with which he signed that law, they are all an accomplice in subverting the electoral process of this country. They are all an accomplice in designing an electoral law that will facilitate rigging,” Bugaje said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

“They are all an accomplice in subverting the popular will of the people, and this thing that they have done is well noted, and there will be repercussions. I don’t know where it’s going come, but everywhere in the world where such things have happened, there have been very serious consequences, repercussions.

The former lawmaker, who is also the chairman of the Movement for Credible Elections, accused those against the will of voters of being “so obsessed with power” for the control of state treasury.

“These people cannot see the repercussions. They are so obsessed with power. They are so obsessed with the control that they now have for the state treasury and the way they dispense money the way they want.

“Nigerians are aware of who you are. This electoral law has shown who you are, and Nigerians are not going to take it lightly, and they are going to react,” he added.

Electoral Reforms

Bugaje said that members of the National Assembly insulted the intelligence of Nigerians by passing the amended electoral bill without including real-time electronic transmission of election results.

He advised them not to attempt to deceive Nigerians with “cosmetic” electoral reforms.

On the just-concluded elections in the Federal Capital Territory, the former NASS member said Nigerians had lost confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as nothing in the conduct of the exercise showed that things would get better.

‘We Need To Avoid Interference’

Tinubu signed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 into law last Wednesday, following the passage of the bill by the National Assembly the previous day, after months of deliberations.

Tinubu signed the bill at the State House on Wednesday in the presence of top government officials, including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

He said the essence of democracy is to have very solid discussions committed to national development and nation-building, essential for the stability of the nation.

“It’s not as important as the history aspects of this. What is crucial is the fact that you manage the process to the extent there will be no confusion, no disenfranchisement of Nigerians, and that we are all going to see democracy flourish.

“No matter how good the system is, it’s managed by the people, promoted by the people, and the result is finalised by the people,” The President said.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that the peaceful conduct of the elections in the FCT is a testament to the commitment of residents to democracy and good governance.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Congratulates Winners Of FCT Polls, Rivers, Kano By-Elections

He stated that the polls further exposed the hypocrisy of people who go about buying corn and groundnuts from roadside sellers as a form of campaign to deceive Nigerians.

“This election has indeed shown that Nigerians now know the ruling party and the real opposition party.

“Also, the election has further exposed the hypocrisy of people who go about buying corn and groundnuts from roadside sellers for the purpose of a campaign just to deceive Nigerians.

“Yesterday, the residents of FCT demonstrated that they cannot be deceived by emergency democrats, who have chosen not to see anything good in our country and its government,” Wike was quoted as saying in a special broadcast on Sunday evening, in a statement signed by his media aide, Lere Olayinka.



The minister hailed President Bola Tinubu, saying that “the election is a reflection of the President’s vision and leadership, and a testimony that the Renewed Hope Agenda has brought optimism and confidence to the people of the FCT”.

“I thank Mr President for the development he has brought to the FCT. This election is a reflection of the President’s vision and leadership, and a testimony that the Renewed Hope Agenda has brought optimism and confidence to the people of the FCT.

“No doubt, the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improving the lives of Nigerians, particularly the residents of the FCT, has not gone unnoticed. The Renewed Hope Agenda has given us hope for a brighter future, and we are confident that under his leadership, the FCT will continue to be a model of development and progress,” he said.

Wike further commended the President for “standing firm in his defence of democracy, particularly in ensuring the amendment of the Electoral Act to strengthen the conduct of credible elections”.

This, he said, demonstrates Tinubu’s “commitment to improving our democratic process”.

“At this juncture, I also congratulate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a free, fair, and credible election. This is a reflection of President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening our democratic institutions and ensuring that our electoral processes are transparent and reliable.

“I commend the security agencies for their dedication to duty, ensuring the peaceful conduct of the election. Their efforts have contributed to the success of this democratic exercise,” the minister added.

Wike, however, urged the winners to serve with humility, dedication, and commitment to excellence.

“Work tirelessly to improve the lives of the residents, and bring development to our communities.

“To the residents of the FCT, especially those in the satellite towns, I once again commend you for coming out in large numbers to exercise your franchise, and for doing so in a peaceful and orderly manner.

“Your participation affirms your trust in our democracy, and I urge you to continue to support the government in its efforts to build a better FCT.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has arrested 20 suspects for different electoral offences during the February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory area council elections.

READ ALSO: APC Dominates Rivers By-Elections, FCT Polls, PDP Wins Gwagwalada

It disclosed that the suspects were arrested across the FCT, for offences ranging from vote buying, vote selling, to obstruction of officers, to the tune of ₦17,218,700.

“One of the suspects was arrested with a sum of ₦13,500,000 in a car parked beside a polling booth in the Kwali local government area.

“Two of the suspects were arrested in Abaji; nine in Gwagwalada; four in Kuje, and the remaining four in Kwali,” The EFCC said in a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

It said the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted elections in the six area councils of the FCT for chairmanship and councillorship positions.

By-elections were conducted in the Ahoada East II and Khana II state constituencies of Rivers State.

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have repelled coordinated terrorist attacks in Limankara and Kukawa, Borno State.

READ ALSO: Troops Arrest Suspected Boko Haram Collaborators, Seize Drones In North-East

This was contained in a statement on Sunday by the Media Information Officer of the Theatre Command, Lt. Col. Sani Uba.

“Troops of Sector 2 under Operation DESERT SANITY V, acting on weeks of intelligence backed by satellite imagery and ISR air platforms, conducted a precision operation in the early hours of 22 February 2026 around Lamusheri Village in Gujba LGA, identified as a key terrorist attack launch pad and logistics hub.

“During the ensuing firefight and exploitation, 15 terrorists were neutralised while scores fled with gunshot wounds,” Uba said.

According to him, extensive defensive and life-support structures were destroyed.

He said that five terrorist tricycles and two vehicles used for attacks and logistics were set ablaze with their contents, and a cache of arms, ammunition, bandoliers, and camel pouches was recovered.

Uba said the terrorists, in unconfirmed numbers, also attempted to infiltrate the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Limankara, while the alert troops immediately engaged the attackers in a fierce firefight, bringing disciplined firepower and tactical coordination to bear.

He said rapid reinforcement at the contact point with support from the Air Component Command overwhelmed the assailants, compelling them to flee in disarray through the burial ground axis.

“In a related incident at about 2320 hours, terrorists mounted on gun trucks and motorcycles, with additional fighters on foot, launched a coordinated multi-pronged attack on troops in Kukawa from the Alagarno and Jemmu axes.

“The troops engaged the attackers in an intense firefight that extended into the early hours of 21 February 2026. Overpowered by superior fire and coordinated resistance from the ground troops and air support from the Nigerian Air Force, the terrorists withdrew, dragging away casualties,” he said.

Uba noted that the air platforms further conducted a series of precision strikes, with one terrorist gun truck destroyed, “pulverising four fighters in the gun truck”.

“Persistent aerial surveillance subsequently tracked fleeing terrorists on five motorcycles to a convergence point, where another precision strike destroyed the five motorcycles and neutralised an additional 10 fighters.

“Following the strikes, troops conducted an operation and recovered thirteen(13) AK-47 rifles, sixteen (16) AK-47 loaded magazines, three(3) handheld radios which the insurgents used for communication, terrorists’ stretchers used to convey their casualties, as well as shallow graves and blood trails left by the terrorists,” he added.

He announced that “regrettably, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price, and some combat enablers were destroyed by rocket fire during the engagements.

The Ebonyi State Government, working with the Nigerian Police Force, has confirmed the rescue of five male children at various locations across the state.

READ ALSO: Ebonyi Killings: Gov Nwifuru Relaxes Curfew In Amasiri, Orders Prosecution Of Suspects

The police spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, on Sunday confirmed to Channels Television that the operatives of the command played a vital role in getting the boys off the street.

He noted that the children were handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for further investigations and possible reunion with their parents.

“Operatives of the command rescued the five male children at various locations across the state. They have been handed over to the Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for further investigations and to reunite them with their families,” Ukandu said.

At the premises of Ebonyi State Juvenile Remand Home, Ugwuachara Abakaliki, the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Felicia Nwankpuma, disclosed that the children were seen wandering until the police intervened.

“These vulnerable children were found missing by men of the Nigeria Police Force, Ebonyi State Command, on different dates at different parts of the state and handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs to enable us to trace their families and reunite them,” she stated.

Nwamkpuma, who was represented by the Head of Child Development Department of the ministry, Emmanuel Nkwuda, said that children are precious gifts from God and should be protected.

“I advise parents to give birth to only a number of children they can adequately cater for, considering their economic strength and schedules, and be security conscious,” he added.

The government called on people looking for their missing children to visit the ministry as soon as possible for an interview, identification, and reunion.

The commissioner threatened that if the parents of the lost but found children are not seen within a reasonable period of time, the ministry will be compelled to place the children for adoption or fostering so as not to deprive them of adequate parental care and love, dignity, education, and name.

She explained that the ministry does not operate a school or skill acquisition centre within the facility, stressing that prolonged stay without meaningful engagement could negatively affect the children’s development.

“Some of them have stayed here up to four years, some two years, some a year, and the youngest among them have stayed with us for just two months. We resolved that it’s important to let the public know that children of these ages are in our children’s centre.”

“Parents whose children are missing should come with evidence for the interview, identification, and possible reunion,” the commissioner said.

She also cautioned against allowing strangers to interact freely with children, recalling a recent incident in the Nkwagu axis of the state where some women were allegedly deceived and three children taken away.

The ministry urged members of the public with relevant information to come forward to help reunite with their families.