society
Senate’s Electoral Reform Bill Risks Opening Door to Voting Errors, NBA’s Ubani Warns
Senate’s Electoral Reform Bill Risks Opening Door to Voting Errors, NBA’s Ubani Warns
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“As harmonization talks continue in Abuja, legal experts and civil society leaders warn that ambiguities in the Senate’s draft amendment could undermine electronic result transmission and weaken public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
Abuja, Nigeria – The ongoing controversy over the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal & Enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026 has erupted into one of the most consequential political flashpoints in Nigeria’s democratic journey ahead of the 2027 general elections. At the centre of the storm is the Senate’s version of the bill, which critics (including Monday Ubani, SAN, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Electoral Reform Committee) say leaves open critical loopholes that could invite systematic electoral errors and manipulation.
On Saturday, Ubani raised pointed concerns during a televised interview on Arise Television, arguing that the Senate’s draft, as passed on second reading, “leaves room for electoral error”. He explained that electronic result transmission and result transfer processes in the bill still rely on manual collation at collation centres, leaving the possibility for discrepancies between what voters see at the polling unit and what is declared later.
“The people have witnessed a situation where a different result will be declared at the collation centre, different from what happened at the polling unit,” Ubani said. “The Senate proposed bill leaves room for electoral error and there are concerns about communication failures that can be illegally taken advantage of.”
The uproar stems from the Senate’s decision not to include language that mandates real‑time electronic transmission of election results from polling units with a reform widely championed by civil society, legal experts, opposition parties and advocacy groups. Instead, the Senate retained a provision that allows the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) discretion in determining the mode of results transfer, similar to what existed under the Electoral Act 2022.
For decades, Nigeria’s elections have been plagued by allegations of manipulation and result tampering, particularly during the transportation and collation of results away from polling units. In the 2023 general elections, electronic tools like the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) were deployed to upload results online, allowing citizens to view them in real time. However, the Supreme Court later ruled that such electronic transmission lacked a statutory basis, since the Electoral Act did not expressly mandate its use.
This legal lacuna has invigorated reform advocates to push for legislative clarity. As one election law expert told TheCable in an in‑depth legal analysis, “the absence of ‘real‑time’ language, the undefined communication failure exception, and the designation of manual results as primary when technology allegedly fails transform what should be a strong transparency mechanism into a discretionary system vulnerable to abuse.”
Yet, rather than enshrining real‑time electronic transmission as a legal requirement, the Senate retained the existing discretionary framework, prompting outrage. Civil society organisation #FixPolitics Africa argued that this amounts to a “brazen betrayal of electoral reform and the rule of law,” stating that ambiguities in the bill erode public trust and risk hollowing out Nigeria’s democracy.
Prominent voices have weighed into the debate. Former Minister of Education and activist Oby Ezekwesili warned that the Senate’s approach amounts to “playing with fire” ahead of elections that Nigerians hope will be more credible than past cycles. Critics argue that removing mandatory electronic transmission and retaining discretionary language hands back power to old practices that have facilitated manipulation.
On the political front, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the Senate’s decision as “most shameful and unfortunate,” stressing that the majority of Nigerians want electoral sanctity bolstered through electronic safeguards. The party’s statement argued that without clear legal requirements, result manipulation remains possible.
Yet Senate leaders have downplayed the criticism. Senate President Godswill Akpabio stressed that the process is not complete, noting that the Senate will reconvene to approve the Votes and Proceedings of its sessions before the final text is settled. He cautioned against premature judgments, characterising public outrage as misguided given that legislative harmonisation with the House of Representatives is still underway.
Senators like Ireti Kingibe have also sought to reassure the public. Kingibe, a member of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, said the core reforms (including electronic transmission) remain part of the discussions and will be clarified in a harmonised version of the bill.
As a harmonisation committee meets to reconcile the Senate and House versions, the stakes could scarcely be higher. If the differences are not resolved clearly and transparently, the final Electoral Act may lack the very reforms most Nigerians believe are necessary to restore confidence in the electoral process.
Legal scholar Dr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, writing in a recent analysis, captured the moment perfectly: “Nigerians invested in technology and raised expectations about transparency, but the legal framework must now match that investment and failing to enshrine real‑time transmission risks a repeat of the very irregularities reformers sought to eliminate.”
The 2027 elections loom large on the calendar. With trust in democratic institutions fragile and public impatience with political elite promises at an all‑time high, the final form of Nigeria’s electoral law may prove as decisive as any campaign rhetoric or political rally. The tension between tradition and technology, discretion and certainty, could well determine whether the next general elections are a triumph of democracy or another missed opportunity.
society
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE EXTENDS WARM BIRTHDAY FELICITATIONS TO PRESIDENT TINUBU ON 74TH BIRTHDAY
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE EXTENDS WARM BIRTHDAY FELICITATIONS TO PRESIDENT TINUBU ON 74TH BIRTHDAY
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative has extended heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 74th birthday.
In a statement released to the press, the Initiative conveyed warm wishes for the President’s personal well-being and for his continued leadership of the nation. The statement, signed by the Convener, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, expressed hope that the coming year would bring the President “renewed strength and more wisdom in guiding the nation.”
The statement further noted that the Grand Patron of the Initiative, His Excellency Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, joined in celebrating the milestone. It added, “Wishing Your Excellency continued good health, vitality, and determination as you lead the country towards greater unity and progress.”
The message underscores support for President Tinubu’s administration and its national objectives, marking the birthday as an occasion to reaffirm commitment to the nation’s unity and advancement under his stewardship.
society
Dominion City to Host Global Camp Meeting, “2 Nights of Glory” 2026 in Lagos, Enugu …Calls for Moral Renewal
*Dominion City to Host Global Camp Meeting, “2 Nights of Glory” 2026 in Lagos, Enugu
…Calls for Moral Renewal
Lagos – Dominion City has announced plans to host its annual Global Camp Meeting alongside a special “2 Nights of Glory” gathering in April 2026, with events scheduled to be held simultaneously in Lagos and Enugu.
The week-long programme is expected to draw tens of thousands of participants onsite and millions of virtual attendees from across the globe.
The Global Camp Meeting will run from Wednesday, April 1 to Monday, April 6, featuring daily sessions at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The “2 Nights of Glory” is slated for Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 at the Golden Heart Place, Km 22 Lekki-Epe Expressway, beside Lagos Business School, Ajah, Lagos.
Organised by Dominion City, a global church focused on raising transformational leaders, the conference will centre on revival, spiritual renewal, and practical teachings. This year’s theme, “Redigging the Wells of Our Fathers,” underscores a call to return to foundational values and principles.
Speaking ahead of the event, Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe, emphasised the need for moral reawakening as a pathway to national transformation. He described the Church as “the pillar and foundation of truth,” noting that the conference aims to confront moral decline and restore core values within society.
“We are going back to foundational truths that established the Church. These truths will help repair societal damage and reposition the Church as a source of hope and light,” Onaga said.
Also speaking, Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor of Dominion City Headquarters, highlighted the Church’s role in addressing ethical and cultural challenges, particularly among young people. He added that the programme would go beyond spiritual teachings to include sessions on artificial intelligence, innovation, business, media, arts, and career development.
“We are equipping people not just spiritually, but with relevant 21st-century skills to thrive in today’s world,” Olapade noted.
The conference will feature teachings and ministrations from a lineup of international ministers, including Dr. David Ogbueli, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Andres Bisonni, Pastor Randy Mitchell, Apostle Ikechukwu Peter Nnajiofor, Dr. Ferdinand Nweke, Apostle Ben Hanyani Ndobe, Evangelist Dan Scott, and Dr. Chiefo Ejiofobiri.
Music ministrations will also be led by notable gospel artists such as Grace Idowu, Rhema Onuoha, Once More Six, David Nkennor, Anthony Kani, and GUC.
Organisers disclosed that over 30,000 participants are expected to attend in person, with free transportation provided from designated locations across Lagos to ease access. In addition, free medical services will be offered daily, building on previous outreaches that benefited over 1,700 people.
To ensure safety and order, more than 200 traffic marshals will be deployed in collaboration with relevant authorities.
Beyond its spiritual impact, organisers project that the event will stimulate local economic activity across hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors.
The Global Camp Meeting remains a key platform for spiritual impartation, leadership development, and societal transformation, aligning with Dominion City’s mission to equip believers to influence their communities positively.
Participation is open to the public, with registration available online for both physical and virtual attendance. //END.//
*PHOTO CAPTIONS:*
L-R: Dr. Godwin Efobi, Head, Medical Team, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ); Pastor Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor, DCHQ; Pastor Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe; Pastor Chuks Anochie, Head of Security and Traffic Control, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Camp Meeting 2026; Pastor Josh Tim Vaduchi, Head of Event & Programmes, DCHQ, during the press briefing of the forthcoming Global Camp Meeting, held the weekend of 2026 at the Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Lagos.
L-R: Pastor Chuks Anochie, Head of Security and Traffic Control, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Camp Meeting 2026; Pastor Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor, DCHQ; Pastor Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe; Dr. Godwin Efobi, Head, Medical Team, DCHQ; and Pastor Josh Tim Vaduchi, Head of Event & Programmes, during the press briefing of the forthcoming Global Camp Meeting, held over the weekend in 2026 at the Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Lagos.
society
Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Felicitates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 74
Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Felicitates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 74
By Adeyemi Obadimu
The Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Elebo II, has extended warm felicitations to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 74th birthday.
In a goodwill message issued from his palace, the revered monarch described President Tinubu as a visionary statesman, a courageous reformer, and an indefatigable democrat whose lifelong commitment to nation-building continues to shape Nigeria’s progress.
Oba Babatunde Saliu praised the President’s unwavering dedication to public service, noting that his leadership has ushered in a new phase of economic reform, infrastructural renewal, and institutional strengthening across the country.
According to the monarch, the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda has begun yielding tangible relief and renewed confidence among citizens, reflecting his determination to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and prosperity.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated exceptional resilience, strategic foresight, and a deep love for Nigeria. His administration’s bold initiatives are laying the foundation for long-term national transformation. At 74, he remains steadfast in his resolve to build a stronger, more united, and economically vibrant nation,” the monarch stated.
Oba Babatunde further commended the President’s legacy of leadership, describing him as a bridge-builder, a mentor to many leaders, and a symbol of democratic stability. He acknowledged the President’s decades of sacrifice and contribution to the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
On behalf of the Oworosoki Kingdom, the royal father prayed for divine wisdom, sound health, and renewed strength for the President to successfully complete the noble reforms and developmental strides he has embarked upon for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“As Your Excellency marks 74 remarkable years, we pray that Almighty God grants you long life, continued wisdom, and the fortitude to steer our great nation toward greater heights. May your days be filled with strength and grace as you continue to serve Nigeria with distinction,” Oba Babatunde Saliu added.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu clocks 74 as a leader whose enduring influence, bold reforms, and steadfast patriotism remain central to Nigeria’s ongoing journey of national renewal.
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