Author: Editor
By Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili The wisest and free advice that the Nigerian Senate, as well as the House of Representatives, can receive from all well-meaning citizens of our country now is to know when to stop playing with fire. Nigerians mostly see the Senate as an ignoble and withering institution that delights in deliberate betrayal of public trust. Our lawmakers at large are well known for consistently prioritizing personal and partisan interests over constituent welfare: blocking or watering down reform legislation (electoral reform, anti-corruption measures, constitutional amendments for devolution of power); their selfish custom of inflated budgetary allocations for the…
Our Reporter, Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday criticised the Senate’s reconsidered position on real-time electronic transmission of election results, describing it as “being clever by half” and a covert attempt to undermine credible elections. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said the Senate’s introduction of an addendum permitting manual transmission where technology is said to fail amounted to a disguised rejection of electronic transmission, despite public opposition to the earlier decision. The party argued that manual transmission is already adequately provided for under the Electoral Act, noting that the…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The traditional ruler of Ekeoba Ancient Kingdom, Ohuhu, Umuahia, Abia State, HRM Eze Iheanyichukwu Nwokenna, has commended Governor Alex Otti for what he described as bold, people-focused governance, particularly the payment of workers’ outstanding leave allowances and the introduction of electric buses for urban mass transit. Eze Nwokenna spoke during “The Truth” programme organised by the Abia State Policy Innovation Centre through the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Policies and Interventions, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru. The monarch said the free electric bus initiative has significantly eased the transportation burden on residents, especially amid…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said sustained public pressure compelled the 10th Senate to reverse controversial provisions of the Electoral Amendment Bill, particularly clauses relating to the electronic transmission of election results. The party described the development as a major victory for Nigerians but cautioned that citizens must remain vigilant until the bill is fully passed and assented to by the President. This position was contained in a statement issued by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who attributed the Senate’s decision to coordinated civic actions across the country, both online and offline. According…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The Ebonyi State Government has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area to produce the severed heads of victims allegedly killed and beheaded during recent attacks or face stiffer sanctions. The community was also directed to release four persons abducted from Okporojo village in Edda Local Government Area. Governor Francis Nwifuru gave the directive on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of an extended security meeting held at the New Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki. The meeting was attended by service chiefs, members of the state’s founding fathers, the Elders’…
Our Reporter, Abuja Amid growing national outrage over the Senate’s refusal to mandate real-time electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act amendment, former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday joined protesters at the National Assembly. Amaechi arrived at the protest ground with his first son, demanding the compulsory inclusion of real-time electronic transmission of results in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections. The protest followed sustained controversy surrounding the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, particularly disagreements over whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Federal Government has commenced implementation of key welfare components of its renegotiated 2025 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), approving a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for lecturers in federal universities, effective January 1, 2026. The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced the development in a statement and directive issued to vice-chancellors on Monday, February 9, 2026. The approval follows the signing of the updated ASUU–FG agreement on January 14, 2026, after prolonged negotiations concluded in 2025, aimed at averting recurrent industrial actions and improving working conditions…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Nigerian Army has announced the discovery of improvised explosive devices at Umuchima Forest in Abia State. This, according to a statement by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 14 Brigade Ohafia, Capt. Mazinho Attah, is part of intensified efforts to curb the activities of criminal elements in the state. The discovery, according to the statement, was made on Sunday morning during a clearance operation by troops of 14 Brigade. The statement read in part: “On 8 February 2026, at about 9:00 a.m., troops of the Brigade, while conducting clearance operations along the Umuchima pipeline route…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Prominent regional organisations, professional bodies and legal experts have renewed calls for the inclusion of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, following the Senate’s rejection of the provision. Leading the push are the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; the Middle Belt Forum; the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF); the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE); and constitutional lawyer, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN. Operating under the umbrella of the Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum (SMBLF), the groups on Monday demanded the retention of Clause 60 of the proposed 2026 Electoral Act…
Our Reporter, Abuja Former Labour Party presidential candidate and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, on Monday led a protest to the National Assembly, demanding the inclusion of mandatory electronic transmission of election results in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act. Obi, accompanied by civil society activists and supporters, protested the Senate’s removal of clauses providing for electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IREV). Addressing journalists at the National Assembly, Obi warned that Nigeria could not afford to repeat the mistakes of past elections, insisting that…