By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Senate has constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee to harmonise and distil senators’ inputs on the proposed amendment of the Electoral Act, as lawmakers intensify efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision followed a three-hour closed-door executive session held on Thursday, during which senators further scrutinised the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill currently before the National Assembly.

Announcing the outcome of the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the committee was set up to synthesise lawmakers’ views and address outstanding concerns on the proposed amendments.
He said the panel was “mandated to contribute, galvanise and distil the opinion of senators on the bill.

“In no particular order, the committee will be led by Niyi Adegbonmire, chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters,” Akpabio said.

Other members of the committee are Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye and Titus Zam.

Akpabio added that the committee has a maximum of three days to conclude its assignment and submit its report to the Senate by Tuesday.

The Senate had on Wednesday stepped down consideration of the report on the Electoral Act amendment bill, opting instead for an executive session to allow for deeper examination of the proposed legislation.

The move followed deliberations on the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, which was presented in the absence of its chairman, Simon Lalong. Lawmakers agreed to suspend debate to give senators additional time to study the bill, citing its far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s electoral process.

Although the House of Representatives has already passed the bill, Akpabio stressed that the Senate must exercise due diligence before concurrence.

“This is a very important bill, especially as it’s election time. We must take our time to ensure justice is done to all, so that we do not end up at the tribunal,” he said.

According to the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, a clause-by-clause review indicates that the proposed amendments would strengthen electoral integrity, enhance transparency and boost public confidence in the electoral system.

The committee consequently recommended the passage of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025, as amended, noting that the reforms would expand voter participation, curb electoral malpractice and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Earlier, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele outlined key components of the proposed amendments, describing the bill as a major step towards improving electoral credibility and safeguarding institutional independence.

He said the bill introduces stiffer sanctions for electoral offences such as vote-buying, including fines of up to N5m, a two-year jail term, and a 10-year ban from contesting elections.

The proposed law also prescribes tougher penalties for result falsification and obstruction of election officials, introduces electronically generated voter identification — including a downloadable voter card with a unique QR code — and mandates the electronic transmission of polling unit results.

Bamidele further disclosed that the bill recognises the voting rights of prisoners, mandates INEC to register eligible inmates, standardises delegates for indirect party primaries, and requires the release of election funds at least one year before polling day.

According to him, the reforms are aimed at guaranteeing credible, transparent and secure elections beginning with the 2027 general polls, subject to approval by at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly, in line with constitutional requirements.

“At the end of it all, good governance, enhanced security and the welfare of our constituents shall remain our cardinal objectives,” Bamidele said.

The Dr Boniface Aniebonam led New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) says Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State left the Kwankwasiya Movement and the party because of Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso’s slavery intentions and not for selfish reasons.

The party also stated that the main betrayer in the saga is Kwankwaso, who betrayed the trust of the NNPP founder, Aniebonam and not Yusuf. All efforts made by Yusuf as the leader of NNPP for reconciliation were resisted out of arrogance and greed
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The party was reacting to comments by Elder Buba Galadima on Yusuf’s defection.

In a statement by its National Vice Chairman Northwest, Alhaji Sani Danmasani, the party stated: “Let the relations and families of Kwankwaso and Galadima intervene before depression will catch up with them.

“This is because a critical analysis of the condition of Galadima on Arise television suggested that something may become clinically wrong.

“The cross over of Yusuf to APC is affecting Galadima’ and Kwankwaso so much that the bitterness and pain are evident in their speeches.

“Their pain is so much that it may result to depression if something urgently is not done . It is most likely that these great men are having sleepless nights.”

According to the party, what is striking in the details of Galadima’s expression during the session on Arise TV were his experiences, travelling by road from Enugu airport to Umuawulu town in Anambra, hometown of NNPP Founder, Aniebonam.

“Galadima’ said he got to Anambra by 2.a.m to meet Aniebonam for the purposes of getting a political platform for Kwankwaso and others against the 2023 general elections.

“Incidentally Yusuf who is a prime beneficiary of the risky trip to Umuawulu is the one found to have betrayed NNPP family to join their enemy, a former governor Kano state and APC stalwart, Ganduje.

“Galadima and Kwankwaso crying fowl of betrayal of trust were the same people who were favoured at no cost to use the NNPP platform to contest elections in 2023.

“They were the same people who betrayed Aniebonam, and fighting to hijack the party he founded 2001. They are still fighting to hijack the structure of the NNPP without conscience, yet calling Yusuf a betrayer.

“One begin to wonder why Kwankwaso and Buba Galadima are crying fowl and disturbing the peace of the society as if they do not know that God acts differently.”

It noted that Yusuf’s decision was a self defence , protection from modern slavery and undue interference from Kwankwaso in governance of Kano state.

The party said that rather than continue to lament over Yusuf, Kwankwaso and his group should seek the face of God and ask for forgiveness from those they betrayed.

The party noted that Kwankwaso’s influence in Kano politics has fizzled out, and will not affect Yusuf’s re-election in 2027.

Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, the member of the House of Representatives for Bichi Federal Constituency from Kano State and the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, has officially commissioned the reconstructed Hagagawa Mega Primary School in Bichi Local Government Area yesterday, Tuesday.

Hagagawa Primary School was established in 1930 and before the reconstruction the structure was on the verge of collapse.

In addition, the lawmaker has employed 180 more classroom teachers, who will be deployed across primary schools in Bichi Local Government.

This brings the total number of teachers employed by Hon. Bichi to 500, each earning a monthly salary of N60,000. In total, the legislator spends N₦30,000,00 monthly on teachers’ salaries, amounting to ₦360,000,000 annually.

Speaking at the Commissioning, Hon Bichi reaffirmed his commitment to building similar model schools in Danzabuwa in Bichi north, Saye in Bichi East and Ciranci communities.

Teachers and students associations across the local government commended the lawmaker during the commissioning of the school.

As part of the reconstruction, Hon. Bichi also constructed a modern mini-stadium, upgraded classrooms, a computer lab, a modern library and recreational facilities for students to enhance extracurricular activities.

The event was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Reps. Kabir Alhassan Rurum, Reps Sagir Ibrahim Koki, Repa Abdullahi Rogo, Reps. Hussaini Kero, MD Hadejia Jamare River Basin Development, Dr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, DG National Productivity commi, Hon. Baffa Babba, Chairman of Bichi Local Government, Hon. Hamza Maifata, and the member representing Bichi in the Kano state assembly Hon. Lawan Shehu Bichi, SUBEB Chairman Kano, Old Students, well wishers and other community leaders.