By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the National Assembly to pass a proposed amendment to the Electoral Act that would explicitly compel the electronic transmission of election results from polling units.

In a statement issued on Saturday via X (formerly Twitter), the NBA’s National Executive Council (NEC) endorsed a report by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), urging legislators to approve changes to Clause 60, Subsection 3. The NEC, which met in Maiduguri, Borno State, on February 5, 2026, stated the report “highlighted the urgent need to mandate the electronic transmission of results to strengthen transparency and public confidence in elections.”

The proposed amendment would legally require presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results in real time to the INEC Result Viewing portal “immediately after Form EC8A has been duly signed, stamped, and countersigned by party agents.”

The NEC criticised the Senate’s decision to retain the current wording, which permits results to be transferred “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.” It argued this phrasing weakens “the legal foundation for transparent elections and [leaves] room for manipulation and ambiguity.” Such discretionary language, it warned, “undermines democratic accountability,” adding that “clear statutory compulsion… is essential to guaranteeing electoral transparency, protecting the integrity of votes cast, and restoring public confidence.”

The NBA described credible elections as “the bedrock of constitutional democracy” and urged lawmakers to demonstrate “legislative responsibility and statesmanship” by approving the amendment.

In response, the Senate has dismissed claims that it removed the electronic transmission requirement. Senate President Godswill Akpabio described such reports as misleading, clarifying that the 2022 Electoral Act still mandates presiding officers to transmit results electronically.

“This is misleading. Electronic transmission has not been removed from the law. The provision under the 2022 Electoral Act remains in force, and presiding officers are still required to transmit results electronically as prescribed,” Akpabio stated. He added that retaining the current provision ensures “legal and operational clarity” within a secure, standardized process.

The Senate Minority Caucus echoed this stance, emphasizing that lawmakers did not reject electronic transmission and that the Upper Chamber’s actions aim to safeguard electoral transparency and credibility.

The NBA has reaffirmed its “commitment to sustained engagement and advocacy” to ensure Nigeria’s electoral laws clearly reflect the will of the people.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Buckingham Palace has announced that His Excellency President Bola Tinubu of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will undertake a State Visit to the United Kingdom on Tuesday, 18 March.

The two-day visit, which will include his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is being hosted at the invitation of His Majesty King Charles III. It marks the first State Visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years, with the most recent being that of President Ibrahim Babangida in 1989.

This visit builds upon a series of high-level engagements between the two leaders, who both assumed office in May 2023. Their discussions have consistently focused on strengthening the historic partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Previous meetings include an introductory encounter ahead of COP28 in November 2023 and a private audience at Buckingham Palace in September 2024, where global and regional priorities, particularly the challenge of climate change, were central topics.

The forthcoming visit underscores the enduring diplomatic ties between the two nations. Previous Nigerian State Visits to the UK were made by President Yakubu Gowon (1973) and President Shehu Shagari (1981). King Charles, during his tenure as The Prince of Wales, has visited Nigeria on four occasions: in 1990, 1999, 2006, and 2018.

Vice President (Oil & Gas) of Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar V. G. Edwin, has been honoured with the prestigious Person of the Year award at the 9th Annual Award and Lecture of the Daily Asset Newspapers, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and his role in advancing the operations and strategic communication of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals (DPRP).

The award, presented during a well-attended ceremony that brought together government officials, industry leaders, media executives, and key stakeholders, celebrated Edwin’s leadership, professionalism, and commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s energy sector.

Speaking at the award ceremony Thursday in Abuja, Publisher of the Daily Asset Newspaper, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, described Mr. Edwin as instrumental to the success of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals (DPRP).

He said under his stewardship, the Dangote Refinery has continued to play a transformative role in boosting domestic refining capacity, enhancing product availability, and supporting the nation’s economic diversification agenda.

He noted that Mr. Edwin’s dedication to transparent stakeholder engagement, industry advocacy, and effective corporate communication has helped shape public understanding of the refinery’s strategic importance to Nigeria and Africa’s energy landscape.

“His recognition as Person of the Year further shows the growing impact of the Dangote Refinery as a catalyst for industrial growth, job creation, and sustainable national development, “he said.

The Daily Asset Annual Award and Lecture is widely regarded as one of the platforms that recognises individuals and institutions making significant contributions to national progress, leadership excellence, and sectoral transformation.

Dr. Akwaya said Mr. Edwin should be honoured and celebrated not just in Nigeria, but across Africa, for changing the narrative in the Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

Reading his citation, the publisher said the Person of the Year/Corporate Achiever of the Year Award was conferred on Mr. Edwin “for serving as the backbone in the process of establishing the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals (DPRP)., the largest single train refinery globally.

According to him, the Dangote Refinery is a gamechanger, as it has helped Nigeria attain self-sufficiency in petroleum products, and thus reducing import dependence, and stimulate economic growth.

For this effort, he said, “Engr Edwin is Daily Asset iconic Corporate Achiever/Person of the Year.”

Mr. Edwin was represented at the event by Dangote Group’s Senior General Manager, External Relations/Stakeholder Management, Alhaji Abatcha Bishara.

A statement from the Dangote Group said: “At Dangote Refinery, we remain committed to supporting Nigeria’s energy security, strengthening domestic refining capacity, and contributing meaningfully to national economic growth. This recognition encourages us to continue communicating transparently and engaging constructively with stakeholders and the public.

“We also wish to appreciate the media community for their continuous support and collaboration. Responsible journalism and credible communication remain vital to national development, and Daily Asset has consistently demonstrated this commitment.”

Edwin joins a distinguished list of other recipients who have demonstrated exceptional service and commitment to Nigeria’s development, some of whom are: Executive Chairman of Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, National Chairman Arewa Consultative Forum, Chief Mamman Mike Osuman, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Senator Kawu Sumaila, and Minister of Livestock Development, Hon. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, among others.

The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas also emerged as the Best Government Agency of the Year.

Early this week, at the Nigeria International Energy Summit in Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals (DPRP) has significantly enhanced the supply of petroleum products in the country.