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

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3 months ago

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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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Obi Thunders at NDC Convention: ‘Rethink Now, Tyrants! Nigerians Will Reclaim Power in 2027!

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1 hour ago

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May 10, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

 

The presidential hopeful of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, vowed today at the party’s national convention in Abuja to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with the support of Nigerians.

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In his words: “To the beneficiaries of democracy who have now turned themselves into agents of destruction, depriving Nigerians of the democracy they enjoy—who think we will not have a free and fair election in 2027—let them rethink now, because we are going to have a free, fair, and credible election.”

 

The party’s convention today officially unveiled the NDC as the country’s second most vibrant opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

With both Mr. Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in the NDC, and Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen in the ADC, the political atmosphere is set for a power play in 2027.

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INEC Monitors NDC Convention, Confirms Due Process as NWC Members Sworn In

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2 hours ago

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May 10, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

At the national convention of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) today, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present to monitor the electioneering process of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

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The presence of the Commission’s officials has put an end to the debate over whether the NDC followed due process in its registration as a political party.

 

Furthermore, the officials’ presence has boosted the morale of Nigerians seeking a credible platform to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming 2027 general elections.

 

At the end of the convention, the elected NWC members of the party were sworn in right there, in the presence of the officials.

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Plot to Stop ATM Gwarzo Intensifies as Fresh Allegations Rock APC Kano North Senate Race

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3 hours ago

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May 10, 2026

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By Our Correspondent

 

Fresh controversy has erupted within the ranks of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following allegations that powerful forces within the party are allegedly working behind the scenes to prevent His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo, popularly known as (Ruwa Baba), from contesting the Kano North Senatorial primary against the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin.

 

A highly placed source at the APC National Headquarters, who spoke to our correspondent under strict condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, disclosed that there are strong indications that His Excellency Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo may be disqualified during the party’s screening process ahead of the APC senatorial primaries scheduled for May 18, 2026.

 

According to the source, the alleged move is aimed at clearing the path for Senator Barau to secure the APC ticket without facing any serious opposition in Kano North Senatorial District.

 

“The pressure on the screening committee is enormous,” the source claimed. “There are influential figures pushing for ATM Gwarzo’s disqualification to guarantee Senator Barau an easy ride to the ticket.”

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The source further alleged that even if Gwarzo survives the screening committee stage, there are fears within some party circles that his name could still be omitted from the final list of cleared aspirants before the primary election.

 

The development, according to insiders, has heightened political tension among APC stakeholders in Kano, with many closely monitoring the unfolding events ahead of the crucial primaries.

 

Meanwhile, reliable sources revealed that Kano State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, recently hosted a closed-door meeting involving key APC stakeholders in Kano, including former Governors Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje respectively.

 

During the meeting, His Excellency ATM Gwarzo point-blank accused Senator Barau Jibrin of orchestrating his disqualification from the screening process during the previous election held under the administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s tenure.

 

According to our reporter, if ATM Gwarzo’s candidacy is rejected this time around, it would mark the second time this is happening, with Senator Barau Jibrin being accused of playing a role in his disqualification during the APC primary election for the Kano North Senatorial seat.

 

Despite the mounting pressure, Gwarzo was said to have vowed not to withdraw from the contest, insisting that the APC should allow a free, fair, and transparent primary election in line with democratic principles and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

 

Efforts by our correspondent to obtain Senator Barau’s official reaction to the allegations proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to him were not responded to at the time of filing this report.

 

Similarly, repeated attempts to reach Isma’il Mudassir, Special Adviser on Media to Senator Barau I. Jibrin, also failed, as he did not respond to calls placed to his line.

 

The APC is expected to conduct its senatorial primary elections nationwide on May 18, 2026, a contest already generating intense political interest across several states, particularly in Kano North, where the looming face-off between Gwarzo and Senator Barau is attracting widespread attention.

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