National News
KULEN ALLAH CATTLE REARERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (KACRAN)
KULEN ALLAH CATTLE REARERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (KACRAN)
By: Michael Mike
Kacran Appeals To Protesters To Suspend Planned Demonstrations And Calls On Federal, State, And Local Governments To Take Necessary Actions.
As the ten-day nationwide protest planned by Nigerian youths and their supporters approaches, there is still no clear indication of dialogue between the Federal Government and the protesters. This lack of communication could lead to severe and undesirable consequences for the peace, unity, and corporate existence of our nation. Therefore, the members of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), an association dedicated to fostering peace and unity between farmers, herders, and the good people of our beloved country, strongly urge the protesters to suspend their planned demonstrations. We also call on the Federal, State, and Local Governments to take the necessary actions to ensure the protest does not occur.
Our urgent appeal to both parties is based on the following reasons:
Although we acknowledge that Nigerians are experiencing severe hardships, including extreme hunger and other difficulties that make life unbearable due to the removal of oil subsidies, increased NEPA bills, and skyrocketing prices of food and essential commodities, we firmly believe that protests will not achieve the desired objectives. Instead, they will likely worsen the situation.
Protests, in our understanding, signify a rejection of certain government policies and programs for specific reasons stated by the protesters. In clearer terms, protests often represent a revolt against government actions or unwelcome decisions, which frequently lead to clashes between protesters and government forces, resulting in loss of lives and property, including those of innocent people who have no involvement in the protests.
Another reason for our serious concern is that protests in Nigeria often produce highly regrettable negative outcomes, which are more harmful to the protesters, the governed, and the rulers than providing solutions to the issues at hand.
In this regard, KACRAN has ample examples to illustrate why we do not support any protests. For instance:
- We have witnessed how protests led to the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1991.
- It is also documented that protests over the increase in the cost of bread from one pound to two devastated Sudan, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Sudanese, many of whom fled the country. Now, the cost of bread has multiplied to 250 Sudanese pounds.
- Libya is another example where protests, remotely influenced by Western powers, led to the downfall of the country. Libyans who celebrated the death of their leader, Muammar Gaddafi, are now suffering immensely.
- The pitiable situation in Kenya due to ongoing protests, where many Kenyans have been brutally killed, is another example of why protests are detrimental, especially in the Third World countries of Africa where hooliganism often prevails.
- In Nigeria, the recent End SARS protests in Lagos resulted in the deaths of many innocent people, the burning of numerous places, and the destruction of properties worth billions of Naira.
The fact that protests are likely to be hijacked by miscreants who steal and destroy property is another reason why protests are not the solution to our current problems of high living costs and lack of money to buy the now costly food.
Lastly, KACRAN is not in favor of protests and urges the parties involved to engage in peaceful dialogue to solve our country’s economic hardships. Nationwide protests pose a threat to Nigeria’s security and corporate existence, potentially leading to anarchy, statelessness, and, God forbid, disintegration. This would create a terrible situation where everyone is against everyone else.
KACRAN’s Suggestions for Solving Our Problems:
- We fervently call on the protesters to suspend their planned demonstrations.
- We urge the Federal, State, and Local Governments to take the necessary actions to achieve a permanent solution to our problems.
- At the federal level, we call on the Federal Government to thoroughly review the protesters’ demands with a view to addressing what can be met. We also plead with the protesters to reduce their demands to acceptable levels.
Among the protesters’ demands, we passionately request the Federal Government to reconsider the removal of oil subsidies and the increase in NEPA bills.
We also call on the Federal Government to embark on the massive importation of food and other essential commodities and distribute them free of charge to our people for at least three months before the harvest period.
Additionally, we call on the Federal Government to provide relief materials and substantial funds to its commissions, such as the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and other commissions in the country, to purchase and distribute food and other essential materials to Nigerians for free.
At the state level, we call on our State Governments to purchase large quantities of food items and distribute them through their State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) and other relevant agencies.
We also urge our Local Governments to allocate substantial funds to purchase food items for immediate distribution to our local populace, particularly those residing in villages and rural areas.
In conclusion, given the severe consequences associated with nationwide protests as outlined above, we passionately request and appeal to our youths to suspend their planned demonstrations. We also urge our Federal, State, and Local Governments, in the interest of peace and unity in our beloved country, to promptly address the protesters’ demands and consider KACRAN’s additional suggestions for timely implementation.
KULEN ALLAH CATTLE REARERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (KACRAN)
VP Shettima Attends AU Heads of State Plenary Session
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima is attending the plenary of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The opening session has drawn leaders from across the continent and beyond, as delegates convene to address critical issues under this year’s theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
The Vice President is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the high-level gathering.
VP Shettima Attends AU Heads of State Plenary Session
National News
Experts Warn Senate Amendment to Electoral Act May Weaken Electronic Transmission Safeguards
Experts Warn Senate Amendment to Electoral Act May Weaken Electronic Transmission Safeguards
By: Michael Mike
A coalition of electoral reform advocates, legal experts and technology specialists has warned that the proposed amendment to Clause 60(3) of Nigeria’s Electoral Act could undermine recent gains in electoral transparency if not carefully revised.
They gave support to the position of the House of Representatives over that of the Senate, stating that the lower legislative arm position on the amendment of the electoral act was a lesser devil than that of the upper chamber.
The position emerged from an Expert Round Table convened in Abuja on Friday by ActionAid Nigeria, YIAGA Africa and the Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria. The meeting brought together academics, civil society leaders, lawyers, engineers, election administrators and governance specialists to examine the implications of the National Assembly’s amendment to Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.
At the centre of deliberations was the provision dealing with electronic transmission of election results. While the current law provides for electronic transmission, the Senate’s amendment affirms that manually signed polling unit results remain legally valid if electronic transmission fails. Participants argued that this caveat could reopen long-standing vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Experts at the forum stressed that credible elections are the bedrock of democratic legitimacy and political stability. They noted that Nigeria’s democratic history has repeatedly been strained by allegations of manipulation, flawed collation processes and protracted post-election litigation. According to participants, strengthening transparency in result transmission is critical to rebuilding public confidence.
A major focus of the discussion was the role of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in safeguarding results at polling units. Participants described electronic transmission not merely as a technological innovation but as a protective mechanism against manipulation during collation — historically considered the weakest link in Nigeria’s elections.
Technical experts at the meeting maintained that electronic transmission is largely feasible nationwide, citing data that shows approximately 98 per cent network coverage across polling units, with only about two per cent classified as connectivity blind spots. They recommended targeted infrastructure investment to address these gaps rather than reverting to manual safeguards that could compromise transparency.
Concerns were also raised about legal ambiguities in the proposed amendment. Participants observed that the Senate version does not explicitly mandate electronic transmission through BVAS, nor does it clearly outline procedures in the event of technical failure. This, they argued, could create loopholes and fuel conflicting interpretations between manual and electronically transmitted results.
Another issue highlighted was the legal status of regulations issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Many operational guidelines governing electronic transmission are contained in subsidiary regulations rather than entrenched in the Act itself, potentially weakening their enforceability in court.
The experts warned that ambiguity in the law could increase election petitions and deepen what they described as the “judicialization of politics,” where electoral outcomes are increasingly determined in courtrooms rather than at the ballot box.
Beyond the amendment, participants identified broader institutional challenges affecting electoral integrity, including perceived executive influence in appointments to INEC, vote buying, weak enforcement of electoral offences and political interference. They called for comprehensive reforms to strengthen the independence and technical capacity of the electoral body.
In their resolutions, the roundtable participants reached consensus that electronic transmission should be clearly established in law as the primary and legally binding method for transmitting election results. They expressed preference for the version passed by the House of Representatives, which does not prioritise manually signed results in cases of transmission failure, while recommending further refinements to ensure clarity.
They also urged lawmakers to incorporate key INEC regulations directly into the Electoral Act, reform judicial procedures governing election disputes for faster resolution, and invest in election technology infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the experts advocated a long-term reform agenda that could eventually include electronic voting, drawing from international best practices. They further called on the National Assembly to conduct a public hearing on the technical glitches recorded during the 2023 general elections to prevent recurrence and enhance accountability.
The meeting concluded that Nigeria’s democratic future depends on ensuring that electoral reforms strengthen — rather than dilute — safeguards designed to reflect the true will of voters. Participants pledged continued legislative engagement and public advocacy to protect the integrity of the country’s electoral framework.
Experts Warn Senate Amendment to Electoral Act May Weaken Electronic Transmission Safeguards
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
By: Our Reporter
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria Hajiya Nana Shettima arrived Addis Ababa With Her Husband, Senator Kashim Shettima to attend the 30th General Assembly of Organization of African First Ladies For Development (OAFLAD) while The Vice President will be attending the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of States and Government on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Mrs Shettima is Representing First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON.
The African First Ladies are expected to Focus on internal issues and advance OAFLAD’s strategic priorities.
The 30th General Assembly’s open session under the theme “Building Resilience for Women and Girls: Climate, Conflict, and Sustainable Futures will be held on the 15th of February.
Mrs Shettima who left Abuja this afternoon for Addis Ababa the Capital of Ethiopia will participate in various meetings with African First Ladies spanning for Three Days
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
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