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ADC Accuses National Assembly of Deliberately Frustrating Electoral Reforms Ahead of 2027 Polls

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The African Democratic Congress has accused the National Assembly of deliberately frustrating critical electoral reforms by delaying passage of the Electoral Bill 2025, warning that continued inaction threatens the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released on Saturday by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the party specifically targeted the APC-led Senate for stalling the legislation and warned against weakening or diluting key provisions including electronic voter accreditation and results transmission.

The ADC’s accusation comes as civil society organizations and election observers express mounting alarm over the Senate’s failure to conclude action on a bill already passed by the House of Representatives at third reading on December 23, 2025.

According to Abdullahi, the deliberate delay appears designed to prevent the implementation of reforms that could level the electoral playing field and reduce opportunities for manipulation that characterized the 2023 general elections.

“We are calling on the National Assembly to urgently pass the Electoral Bill 2025. Continued delays could undermine critical electoral reforms and threaten the credibility of the 2027 elections,” the ADC spokesman stated.

The Senate inaugurated a seven-member ad hoc committee on Thursday to review, harmonize and streamline senators’ contributions to the proposed amendments, following a three-hour closed-door executive session examining the Electoral Act Repeal and Re-Enactment Bill.

However, the ADC and civil society groups argue that further committee work at this stage represents another delaying tactic when time-sensitive reforms require immediate legislative action.

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has joined ADC in condemning the delay, expressing grave concern that the Senate’s continued inaction undermines Nigeria’s electoral reform process and threatens timely preparations for the 2027 polls.

Situation Room noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission is legally required to issue the Notice of Election in February 2026, meaning any further slippage in passing the Electoral Bill could place the entire election cycle at risk.

The civil society coalition stressed that electoral reform is not routine legislation but a time-sensitive national obligation that requires urgent completion to allow INEC sufficient time to plan, implement and sensitize stakeholders under a revised legal framework.

The organization criticized the extended National Assembly recess extending into 2026 as inexcusable, noting that established democracies including the United Kingdom, United States, Kenya and South Africa maintain structured calendars allowing priority legislation to proceed even during recess periods.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recently alleged that loopholes in the Electoral Act 2022 undermined the credibility of the 2023 general elections, stating that the law’s gaps enabled widespread rigging and made it extremely difficult for petitioners to win cases in court.

INEC had forwarded 142 post-election recommendations to the National Assembly in May 2025, with eight requiring constitutional or Electoral Act amendments, but lawmakers have shown limited urgency in addressing these technical concerns raised by the electoral umpire.

The Electoral Bill seeks to address critical deficiencies observed in recent elections, including clearer legal backing for electronic transmission of results, provisions for early voting, and tougher sanctions for electoral offenses.

Under current timelines, if the Senate fails to conclude action on the bill within the coming weeks, the proposed reforms will automatically lapse, meaning Nigeria would head into another election cycle under the same 2022 Electoral Act whose gaps and ambiguities were exposed during the 2023 polls.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre has also called on the National Assembly to fast-track critical legislative reforms, particularly electoral-related bills, emphasizing that electoral reform remains a core demand of Nigerian citizens following lessons from the 2023 general elections.

ADC warned that the APC government appears more focused on retaining power than implementing reforms that ensure free and fair elections, noting that even under the current timetable, incumbent structures at state and federal levels are already campaigning.

The party urged lawmakers to demonstrate leadership, foresight and patriotism by prioritizing electoral reforms that reflect the aspirations of Nigerians rather than partisan political calculations aimed at maintaining advantages for the ruling party.

Civil society organizations have vowed to intensify public pressure on the Senate to prioritize the Electoral Bill immediately upon resumption from recess, with plans for advocacy campaigns demanding accountability from lawmakers who continue to delay electoral reform legislation.

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Governor Sani Commissions 35km Road Linking 76 Communities, Longest in Kaduna Since 2004

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Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has commissioned a monumental 35-kilometre asphaltic road described as the longest single infrastructure project delivered in the state over the past two decades, connecting 76 farming communities across three local government areas.

The historic road, inaugurated on Monday at a ceremony attended by traditional rulers, community leaders and residents, stretches from Gadan Gayan through Gwaraji to Kujama Junction, linking Igabi, Kajuru and Chikun local governments.

A standout feature of the project is a 130-metre bridge spanning River Kaduna, providing vital access to rural populations who had previously faced isolation during rainy seasons when the waterway became impassable.

Governor Sani characterized the infrastructure delivery as a watershed moment in Kaduna’s development trajectory, emphasizing that the project reflects his administration’s commitment to inclusive, people-centered governance that prioritizes underserved communities.

The governor recalled that when construction commenced in January 2024, his administration promised to deliver a durable and efficient transport corridor, adding that disciplined planning and professional execution ensured that pledge was fulfilled within record time.

Beyond physical mobility, the road addresses critical economic needs by creating direct linkages between agricultural production zones and commercial consumption centers across the state.

“By traversing agriculturally productive rural communities across three local government areas, this road directly links farms to markets, aggregation centers, processing facilities, and urban consumption hubs,” Governor Sani explained, noting the infrastructure would dramatically reduce post-harvest losses while strengthening agricultural value chains.

The governor highlighted that agriculture remains the leading contributor to Kaduna State’s gross domestic product growth, making rural connectivity essential for sustaining the sector’s economic dominance.

Early indicators suggest the infrastructure investment is already generating multiplier effects, with new filling stations, markets and small businesses emerging along the corridor even before formal commissioning.

“This is the quiet but powerful multiplier effect of well-planned infrastructure,” the governor remarked, pointing to the organic economic revival happening in communities previously isolated from development opportunities.

The project specifically targets historical inequities in public infrastructure distribution, particularly in Kajuru Local Government Area, which had not benefited from any road construction initiative for over twelve years prior to this administration.

“This prolonged neglect constrained economic activity, and that reality was unacceptable,” Governor Sani stated, adding that his administration is deliberately reversing decades of underinvestment in marginalized communities.

The commissioned road also provides an alternative route that reduces dependence on the frequently congested Kaduna metropolis, cutting travel time and transportation costs for commuters and traders while improving emergency response capabilities.

“Emergency services will respond faster, schoolchildren will reach classrooms with greater ease, and families will enjoy improved access to healthcare, markets and social services,” the governor noted.

Managing Director of Kaduna Road Agency Abdullahi Baba-Ahmad commended Governor Sani for executing massive infrastructure projects across the state, describing the 35-kilometre road as a landmark achievement that demonstrates commitment to delivering democratic dividends to all parts of Kaduna.

Baba-Ahmad revealed that the current administration has completed over 1,300 kilometres of roads across the state, significantly boosting commercial activities, easing travel and improving productivity.

Governor Sani explained that the commissioned road forms part of a broader infrastructure programme encompassing 140 road projects totaling 1,335 kilometres across Kaduna State, with 66 already completed while others are between 60 and 75 percent completion stages.

The infrastructure push follows an earlier achievement in May 2025 when Governor Sani broke another 20-year road construction jinx in Kagarko Local Government Area, underscoring systematic efforts to end infrastructure neglect across all parts of the state.

Traditional rulers and community leaders who spoke at the commissioning ceremony described the road as transformational, with many residents testifying about revived livelihoods, revitalized local economies and communities emerging from years of isolation with renewed confidence in government.

The project’s completion within approximately 14 months from flag-off demonstrates the administration’s capacity for rapid infrastructure delivery despite Nigeria’s challenging economic environment and budgetary constraints affecting many state governments.

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Wole Olanipekun, Taiwo Oyedele Urge South-West Governors to Maximise Tinubu Presidency for Regional Growth

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Senior  Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Wole Olanipekun, and Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, have called on South-West governors and political leaders to fully leverage President Bola Tinubu’s administration to drive accelerated development across the region.
The duo made the call on Monday in Akure, Ondo State capital, while speaking at a public lecture organised as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of Ondo State’s creation.
They stressed that the South-West must prioritise massive investments in infrastructure, industrialisation, and economic reforms during Tinubu’s tenure to secure long-term regional prosperity.
Olanipekun cautioned that the political advantage of having a South-West president is temporary, noting that President Tinubu’s tenure will come to an end after his second term in 2031.
According to him, the region must act decisively within this window to strengthen its economic base and ensure sustainable development beyond the current administration.

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BREAKING: Malami Tells Court He Earned ₦12bn+ Legitimately, Seeks Release of Seized Properties

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Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has disclosed details of his earnings while asking a Federal High Court in Abuja to set aside an interim order authorising the seizure of 57 properties allegedly linked to him.
Malami made the disclosure through his counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), in a motion on notice filed before the court. The application seeks to vacate an interim forfeiture order affecting three of the 57 properties currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the court filing, Malami stated that he had fully and transparently declared his sources of income in his asset declaration submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
The document outlined multiple income streams, including:
₦374.63 million earned from salaries, estacodes, severance allowances, and related entitlements.
₦574.07 million generated from the disposal of personal assets.
₦10.01 billion recorded as turnover from private business ventures.
₦2.52 billion issued as loans to various businesses.
₦958 million received as traditional gifts from personal friends.
₦509.88 million realised from the launch and public presentation of his book titled “Contemporary Issues on Nigerian Law and Practice: Thorny Terrains in Traversing the Nigerian Justice Sector – My Travails and Triumphs.”
Malami’s legal team argued that the declared earnings sufficiently explain the source of funds used to acquire the properties in question, urging the court to lift the interim seizure order.
The matter remains pending before the Federal High Court as the EFCC continues its forfeiture proceedings.

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