John Onaiyekan, archbishop emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, says Nigerians are losing confidence in their elected representatives in the national assembly. He spoke on Thursday during an appearance on Prime Time, a current affairs programme on Arise Television. Onaiyekan said many citizens no longer feel represented. He blamed lawmakers’ priorities and decisions for…
Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and activist, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assenting to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. In a video circulating on social media, Adeyanju argued that Tinubu signed the bill because it would favour him politically. “I commend the president for quickly signing what will favor him. Or are you not commending…
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of undermining Nigeria’s democracy by assenting to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. In a statement on Thursday, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the party, said the president’s action amounts to “signing the death warrant on credible elections”. ‘Democracy Set Back by Decades’ The…
Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, former director of voter education and publicity at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has warned that the discretionary transmission clause in the newly amended Electoral Act creates clear room for abuse. Osaze-Uzzi spoke on Thursday during an appearance on Arise Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Show. His warning comes as debate intensifies…
Mike Igini, former resident electoral commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has warned that a discretionary provision in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill could endanger polling officers during elections. Igini issued the warning after the national assembly passed the amendment bill and before President Bola Tinubu signed it into law. On Wednesday,…
Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says the Senate did not reject key electoral reforms, including the electronic transmission of election results. In a statement posted on X on Friday, Kingibe dismissed claims that the Senate reverted to the 2022 Electoral Act, describing them as inaccurate. She said about 85 percent of…
The credibility of any country’s elections directly reflects the quality of its governance. It also shapes the level of trust citizens place in those who govern them. If public officials must bear the title “Your Excellency,” then the process that brings them to office must be excellent, transparent, predictable, and credible. The 2023 general election…
The Senate on Wednesday passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill after a five-hour clause-by-clause deliberation during plenary. The bill stood as the only item on the order paper, coming shortly after a valedictory session held in honour of the late Okey Ezea. Subsequently, lawmakers adopted the legislation at the committee of the whole after considering…
The Nigerian Senate again failed to pass the Electoral Act Amendment Bill (2025) after a five-hour closed-door executive session on Tuesday. This is the fifth time the upper chamber has been unable to conclude work on the bill, which the House of Representatives passed earlier. Closed-Door Talks End Without Decision Lawmakers moved into an executive…
The foot-dragging by the Godswill Akpabio-led Senate in passing the 2025 Electoral Act Amendment Bill risks undermining public confidence in the 2027 general elections. Election stakeholders, civil society organisations, and opposition parties have repeatedly stressed the urgency of electoral reforms ahead of the next polls. Yet, despite the House of Representatives passing the bill in…
