Uncategorized
Civil Society Storms National Assembly, Demands Mandatory Real-Time Election Result Transmission
Civil Society Storms National Assembly, Demands Mandatory Real-Time Election Result Transmission
By: Michael Mike
Civil society groups intensified pressure on the National Assembly on Tuesday, staging a second day of protests demanding that the proposed Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 enshrine mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The demonstrations, spearheaded by ActionAid Nigeria alongside other civic organisations, come amid concerns that the Senate version of the bill dilutes provisions for e-transmission, in contrast to the House of Representatives’ version, which civil society groups have endorsed.
Addressing the crowd, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu,, stressed that the demand was absolute. “Real-time electronic transmission of results. Mandatory. Without any condition,” warning that manipulation often occurs at the transmission stage, undermining the credibility of elections.
Mamedu cited India as a global example, highlighting that even with nearly one billion registered voters and limited network coverage, the country successfully implements electronic voting and results transmission — a model Nigeria can emulate. He urged citizens to hold senators and representatives accountable for supporting the mandatory provision.
Convener of Lawyers in Defence of Democracy and Human Rights, Okere Nnamdi, described the protest as a “people’s parliament” rallying behind the House version of the bill. He called on the harmonisation committee of both chambers to adopt the House proposal in full.
Nnamdi warned of legal challenges if the final version falls short, stating, “If anything less than the House of Representatives version is endorsed and signed into law, there will be over 1,000 public interest litigations challenging the 2026 electoral bill.”
On his part, the CEO of TAF Africa Jake Epelle, representing persons with disabilities, reinforced the argument, insisting that credible elections are impossible without real-time result transmission. “No real-time transmission, no credible election. Enough is enough,” he said, pledging continued civic action until the law guarantees electoral integrity.
Protesters emphasised that mandatory e-transmission would enhance transparency, level the playing field for all political actors, and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system. They vowed to maintain sustained pressure on lawmakers as the National Assembly works to harmonise the Senate and House versions of the amendment bill.
The demonstrations signal a growing civic insistence that Nigeria’s electoral reforms must prioritise technology-driven transparency to safeguard democracy and reflect the genuine will of the people.
Civil Society Storms National Assembly, Demands Mandatory Real-Time Election Result Transmission
Troops destroy terrorist hideouts, arrest 9 suspected informants in Taraba
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have destroyed suspected terrorist hideouts and arrested nine alleged informants during an offensive operation in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba state.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 11:45 a.m. on April 19 by troops of 114 Battalion (Rear) deployed at Andamin, in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members and local hunters.
During the operation, the troops stormed Jukun village where they destroyed abandoned structures believed to have been used as hideouts by terrorists.
The sources added that nine suspected terrorist informants were also arrested during the raid. The suspects were reportedly linked to a notorious terrorist kingpin identified as “Kadogo,” alleged to have been terrorising communities around Mashingin Kirya, Komodoro Garau and parts of Plateau State.
The apprehended suspects are currently in military custody for further interrogation and investigation.
Troops destroy terrorist hideouts, arrest 9 suspected informants in Taraba
Troops foil kidnap attempt in Edo, arrest five suspects, recover rifle
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 195 Battalion have foiled a kidnap incident in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, leading to the rescue of victims, arrest of suspects and recovery of a rifle.
Security sources said the troops, deployed at Auchi, responded to a distress call at about 8:00 a.m. on April 16, following reports of a kidnapping at Iyuku in Jattu.
On arrival, the troops discovered that three kidnapped victims had escaped from their captors.
One of the victims reportedly overpowered and disarmed one of the kidnappers, seizing an AK-47 rifle loaded with nine rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The victims were subsequently reunited with their families.
Troops later combed the surrounding forest and apprehended five suspected kidnappers, while three mobile phones were also recovered during the operation.
The suspects and recovered items have been handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.
Military authorities said troops would sustain ongoing operations to rid the area of criminal elements and ensure the safety of residents.
Troops foil kidnap attempt in Edo, arrest five suspects, recover rifle
Again, another Monarch abducted in Kwara state by suspected bandits
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Again, bandits have abducted a monarch and two others in an early Saturday morning dare devil raid on the Palace of the Oba in Olayinka community.
Disclosing the sad incident, in a release, the Coordinator of the Joint Security Watch Kwara South, Elder Olaitan Zubair condemned in strong terms the latest kidnapping incident which took place at Olayinka in Agunjin District of Ifelodun council area of Kwara State.
This latest abduction where the monarch of the community, Alhaji Saliman Aweda, and two other restaurants were abducted in the early morning raid that occurred at about 1:00 a.m. today, brings to the fore the helpless nature of the security architecture in the state and the inability of the federal agencies to handle things effectively.
Elder Zubair described the incident as disturbing and unacceptable, noting that the recurrence of such attacks including the recent attacks at Idofin Odo Ase where several people were kidnapped and schools were forced to shut down for four months has heightened fear and insecurity across Kwara South.
Zubair stated that this latest case strengthens the earlier appeal made to the Brigade Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, for full-scale military operations in the area to complement the recent gallant efforts of captain Abiola and his team, whose operations in Oke-Oyan, Owa-Kajola, Owa-Onire and surrounding communities, and rescue of Idera victims, have shown commitment to tackling the menace, despite limited resources.
“We cannot continue to watch our traditional rulers and innocent citizens fall prey to kidnappers. The time for decisive, coordinated action by all security agencies is now,” Elder Zubair declared.
He urged the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to treat the security of Ifelodun and the entire Kwara South axis as a matter of urgent priority before the situation deteriorates further.
Again, another Monarch abducted in Kwara state by suspected bandits
Angry youths, women attack soldiers, burn military checkpoint in Plateau over killing of villager
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
Troops destroy terrorist hideouts, arrest 9 suspected informants in Taraba
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
