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Senate Sets Up Committee to Harmonise Electoral Act Amendments Ahead of 2027 Polls

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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.

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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.

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Ex-UK PM Boris Johnson Narrowly Escapes as Russian Drone Hits Warsaw-bound Train

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Ukrainian and Polish governments have accused Russia of launching drone strikes on the locomotive of a passenger train carrying 206 people headed for Warsaw on Sunday morning.

Ukraine said it forewarned the railway operators of likely drone strikes, adding that no one was hurt.

“The monitoring team gave the train crew advanced warning, and thanks to that, no one was injured,” Ukrainian railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, wrote in social media.

Ukrzaliznytsia said that a diplomatic train conveying VIPs such as a former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson; ex-CIA chief, David Petraeus, passed through the Yagodyn station shortly before the drone strike.

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“Shortly before the locomotive was hit at the Ukrainian-Polish border, a diplomatic train was at Yagodyn station,” Ukrzaliznytsia said. “There were, among others, security advisers from several EU member states and former European leaders on board, including former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In another train that was at Yagodyn station at the very moment of the attack was former CIA Director David Petraeus.”

The Warsaw-bound train was carrying 206 people, none of whom were Polish citizens.

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski described the incident as an escalation.

“This is an escalation, this is another great challenge for Ukraine and for the hypothetical future victims of Russian aggression and this means that we should double our efforts to support victims of aggression,” Mr Sikorski said at a press briefing.

The train was transporting 206 individuals and there was no Polish citizen among

“The train is carrying 206 people. There are no Polish citizens among the passengers,” the operator said online. “After completing customs clearance, it will continue its journey towards Warsaw.”

The former UK leader advocated Russia’s frozen funds in Belgium to be transferred to Ukraine.

“I don’t know what warped logic drove Putin to blow up a stationary Ukrainian locomotive on the Polish border this morning,” Mr Johnson said. “When are we going to give them the air defences they need? Why won’t we unfreeze Putin’s cash and give it to Ukraine? There is more than €140 billion ($163 billion) in a Belgian bank account — and about £10 billion (€11.7 billion or 13.5 billion) in London.”

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KANSIEC Chairman Advises Fruits Sellers Association to Modernize Business

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The Fruits Sellers Association, Kano State Chapter, has been advised to develop a strategic plan within a specific timeframe to modernize its business operations.

The Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC, Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi, gave the advice during a courtesy visit by members of the association to his office.

Professor Malumfashi stated that the fruit business anywhere in the world serves customers from all backgrounds, both rich and poor, due to the importance of fruits in food consumption.

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He maintained that the association should seek recognition across the three tiers of government in order to benefit from government policies and programmes.

The KANSIEC Chairman added that the present administration under the Executive Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, is transforming Kano into a modern metropolitan city with many parks. He said fruit sellers should secure designated spaces around the corners of flyovers across the city.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Fruits Sellers Association of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, Alhaji Safiyanu Abdullahi, said they visited KANSIEC to seek guidance on how to conduct free, fair, and peaceful elections within the association.

Bashir Habib Yahya
Media Aide to the KANSIEC Chairman
Date: 11/09/2026

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Breaking :Former PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur Is Dead

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Former Chairman of the peoples Democratic party during Jonathan’s administration Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is dead .

A credible source in Yola the capital of Adamawa state informed Nigerian Tracker that Alhaji Bamanga Tukur passes on in Abuja.

The source said his body will later be conveyed to Yola the capital of Adamawa state for funeral at the palace of Lamidon Adamawa Alhaji Muhammad Barkindo .

 

Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Mahmud Tukur (CON) was a prominent Nigerian politician, businessman, administrator, and elder statesman who has had a towering impact on Nigeria’s socio-political and economic sectors for over six decades.

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He was widely recognized for his roles as the former Governor of the old Gongola State, the former Minister of Industries, and the former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Early Life and EducationDate of Birth: Born on 15 September 1935 in what is today Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Higher Education: He obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree from the University of Pittsburgh in the United States.

Honorary Recognition: He was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (Honoris Causa) by Benue State University in Makurdi, Nigeria.

Traditional Titles: Reflecting his high regional and cultural status, he holds the distinguished traditional titles of Tafidan Adamawa and Wakilin Ganye in Adamawa State.

Career in Public Service & Governance
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA):
Served as General Manager/Chief Executive from 1975 to 1982, managing port congestion and modernizing seaports.

Governor of Old Gongola State: Elected during the Second Republic in 1982, serving a brief term before the December 1983 military coup.

Minister for Industries: Served under General Sani Abacha’s military administration from 1993 to 1995.

Business and Continental Leadership Founder of BHI Holdings (Daddo Group),

Tukur expanded his economic influence across Africa:

Africa Business Roundtable (ABR): Founder, past president, and Life Patron.

NEPAD Business Group: Elected Chairman in March 2002.

International Maritime Stature: First African Vice President of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH)

PDP National Chairmanship (2012–2014)Elected PDP National Chairman in March 2012.

 

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