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Senate passes Electoral Act Amendment Bill after row over e-transmission of election results

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The Nigerian Senate
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The Senate on Tuesday passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, following tense deliberations and a contentious debate over Clause 60.

The upper chamber resumed proceedings with a demand for a division on Clause 60 raised by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC/Abia South), prompting a rowdy session.

As reported by Channels TV, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that he believed the demand had been previously withdrawn, but several opposition senators immediately objected.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, citing Order 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, argued that it would be out of order to revisit any provision already ruled on by the Senate President.

The submission sparked another uproar in the chamber, during which Senator Sunday Karimi briefly confronted Abaribe.

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Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele reminded lawmakers that he had sponsored the motion for rescission, underscoring that prior decisions by the Senate were no longer valid.

He maintained that Senator Abaribe’s demand was consistent with the motion.

Akpabio suggested that the call for division was a move by Abaribe to publicly demonstrate his stance to Nigerians.

The Senate President sustained the point of order, after which Abaribe rose in protest and was urged to formally move his motion.

Rising under Order 72(1), Abaribe called for a division on Clause 60(3), specifically regarding the provision that if electronic transmission of results fails, Form EC8A should not serve as the sole basis.

He proposed removing the provision that allows for manual transmission of results in the event of network failure.

During the division, Akpabio directed senators supporting the caveat to stand, then asked those opposed to rise. Fifteen opposition senators stood in opposition. When the votes were counted, 55 senators voted in favor of the proviso, while 15 opposed it.

Meanwhile, earlier in the session, proceedings were temporarily stalled as lawmakers began clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, following a motion to rescind the earlier amendment.

The motion was formally seconded, paving the way for the Senate to move into the Committee of the Whole for detailed reconsideration and re-enactment of the proposed legislation.

Senate President Akpabio read the clauses for deliberation, but at Clause 60, Senator Abaribe raised a point of order, drawing immediate attention.

This led to murmurs across the chamber and consultations at the Senate President’s desk, after which the session moved into a closed-door meeting.

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

Rising under Order 52(6), Senate Leader Bamidele moved to reverse the earlier passage of the bill and return it to the Committee of the Whole. He explained that the motion followed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s announcement fixing the 2027 general elections for February 2027, after consultations with National Assembly leadership.

Bamidele noted that stakeholders raised concerns that the proposed election date conflicted with the law’s requirement that elections be scheduled at least 360 days before the expiration of tenure, as stipulated in Clause 28. He added that elections during Ramadan could affect voter turnout, logistics, stakeholder participation, and the overall inclusiveness and credibility of the process.

The motion also highlighted discrepancies in the bill’s Long Title and multiple clauses, 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.

These issues reportedly affected cross-referencing, serial numbering, and internal consistency within the legislation.

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Gunmen on rampage in Awka: Popular media personality- Isaac Nwosu shot dead

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• Police Commissioner visits family, vows to get perpetrators

By Chuks Collins, Awka

Some yet to be identified three-man assassins suspected to be cultists have k!lled a very popular media personality in Awka Sunday afternoon.

The popular public announcer and broadcaster/radio guest artiste, comedian -Isaac Nwosu, aka ‘Aiza Nwosu’, was according to eye witnesses shot point while on the steering on the street of the Anambra capital city of Awka.

He was said to have been shot alongside two other victims at separate locations, point-blank, gangster style.

The State Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama, today 31st August 2026 after a 2-hour closed-door strategic meeting with the Command’s strategic and operational officers as part of ongoing efforts to reassess information from the public especially within Awka to strengthen security operations and sustain the fight against violent crime, paid a condolence visit to the family of late Nwosu.

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In his reaction shortly after the visit, Ama vowed to fish out the assailants.

Eyewitnesses who spoke to journalists said the unfortunate acts were apparently by the same assailants on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Late Nwosu was shot along S.M. Okeke Street, Amaikwo area of Awka.

Whereas the other victims were shot dead along Capital City Road, Amaenyi area in Awka.

Eyewitnesses and residents believed the dastardly act. were cult related.

According to one of the witnesses, “The assailants, numbering about three and driving in a tinted vehicle, trailed the comedian from his home, double-crossed his vehicle and before attacking and shooting him dead.

“They left the victim in a pool of blood inside his car. As they drove some distance away, they also shot another victim d3ad by the roadside, dispossessed him of his belongings and fled.

“The assailants fired some shots into the air before leaving the scene in a commando-like manner, thereby creating tension in the area. After they left, the security operatives arrived at the scene and recovered the lifeless bodies of the victims.

“The security operatives later beefed up security around the areas following the incident.”

Some videos circulating online showed the lifeless bodies of the victims lying in pools of blood at different locations as onlookers gathered around the scenes.

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday, August 31.

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Kano APC Chairman shot dead by terrorists

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Terrorists have shot dead the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman of Rantan Ward in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State, Alhaji Garba Buba, during an attack on the community.

Buba was killed on Sunday night, August 30, 2026, after terrorists reportedly invaded Rantan community and opened fire on residents. Another resident identified as Sulaiman Zunduma was also killed during the attack.

A resident of the community, Hamza Isah Rantan, confirmed the incident in a Facebook post, saying the attack forced residents to flee their homes in search of safety.

According to Hamza, the terrorists shot Buba inside his house before he was taken to a hospital for treatment. He, however, died from the injuries sustained during the attack.

Hamza also said Zunduma was shot during the invasion and died instantly. He expressed condolences to the families of the victims while praying for the recovery of those who sustained injuries.

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“On Sunday night kidnappers attacked our town, Rantan, where they shot Alhaji Garab Buha, the APC ward chairman in Rantan, who later died in a hospital. They also killed another resident, Sulaiman Zunduma,” Hamza said.

The development was also confirmed by the Kano State APC spokesperson, Alhaji Auwalu Soja, who said Buba was killed on Sunday. He added that the party would issue an official statement on the incident.

The killing occurred less than 24 hours after another attack in the area, where three residents of Garun-Mallam were reportedly killed by unidentified attackers. The successive attacks have heightened concerns over the security situation in communities around the area.

The latest killing has further raised concerns over the safety of residents in Kano communities, with calls growing for security agencies to strengthen operations and prevent further attacks.

As of the time of this report, the identities and motives of those responsible for the Rantan attack had not been officially established.

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Ex-Bayelsa Gov, Timipre Sylva dumps APC, gives reasons

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Ex-Bayelsa Governor Chief Timipre Sylva
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Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, citing what he described as the party’s departure from its founding ideals.

Sylva, a founding member of the APC, announced his resignation in a letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

He said he made the decision after consulting his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers.

Sylva also criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying it had disappointed most Nigerians and expressing confidence that voters would seek a change in the 2027 general elections.

In the letter, which was electronically delivered, Sylva said he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders appeared to believe that “all is fair in politics.”

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He wrote, “Having consulted widely with my family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers, I wish to formally tender my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), with immediate effect.

“As a founding member of the APC, and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted.

“Moreover, I cannot, in all good conscience, continue to belong to a party whose leaders believe that ‘all is fair in politics;’ and have consistently demonstrated that belief in practice.

“All cannot be fair in any endeavour of life. The demands of basic decency and morality forbid it. Unfortunately, this mentality appears to underpin virtually every action, and even inaction, of this administration.”

The former governor said the APC-led government had failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians, adding that he saw no realistic effort to change its direction.

“The present Government, formed under the banner of the APC we once loved, has disappointed the vast majority of Nigerians. And I can see neither a credible attempt nor any possibility of a revamp,” he said.

Sylva said he had therefore decided to leave the party rather than remain part of what he described as a “floundering ship.”

“I am therefore left with no other choice than to jettison a floundering ship whose fate appears to have been sealed by its irredeemable load of iniquities. I have no doubt that, in the coming election, Nigerians will vote for Nigeria and free the Country from this stranglehold on our beautiful country,” he stated.

Sylva also explained why he copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in his resignation letter.

He said he knew the decision could lead to increased scrutiny of him and his associates but was prepared to face the consequences.

“I am fully aware that this action of mine may invite a redoubled witch-hunt against me and my associates, but that is a risk I am willing to take,” he said.

Copies of the resignation letter were also sent to the National Chairman of the APC, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC and the APC Chairman in Bayelsa State.

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