Politics

Electoral Amendment: CSOs Knock Senate, Seek Reversal On Rejection

Published

3 months ago

February 6, 2026

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations has called on the Nigerian Senate to reverse its earlier rejection of key electoral amendment proposals, stressing that Senator’s action contrasts with the more progressive position earlier adopted by their counterparts in the House of Representatives.

The Nigerian Senate had during plenary two days ago rejected key electoral amendment proposals including provisions allowing voters to download missing or unissued voter cards, blocked electronic transmission of election results, and significantly compressed critical electoral timelines.

The Senate also reduced the notice period for elections from 360 to 180 days, the deadline for political parties to submit candidate lists was cut from 180 to 90 days, and the timeframe for INEC to publish nominations was slashed from 150 to 60 days.

The CSOs, comprising Yiaga Africa, Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Kukah Center, International Press Centre (IPC), Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, in a statement made available to INFO DAILY on Friday, said such changes weaken public scrutiny, constrain institutional preparedness, and increase the risk of electoral manipulation.

The coalition of CSOs, while commending the Senate’s decision to increase fine for offences related to buying and selling of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to ₦5 million, however, said the “rejection of the proposed 10-year ban weakens accountability for electoral malpractice and undermines efforts to curb vote-buying and corruption in Nigeria’s electoral process.”

“Stronger sanctions, including electoral disqualification, are necessary to protect the integrity of the ballot and restore public confidence in democratic institutions.

“Taken together, these decisions represent a retreat from the principles of transparency, certainty, and voter rights that underpinned the passage of the Electoral Act 2022,” the statement partly reads.

The CSOs, who noted that the rejection of the key electoral amendment proposals raises concerns about the Senate’s commitment to credible elections, called on the Senators to place national interest above partisan considerations.

They insisted the Senate reverse its position, adopts real-time electronic transmission of results, and retains the existing timelines for key pre-election activities.

The coalition of CSOs noted that “at a time when public trust in elections remains fragile, Nigeria cannot afford legal provisions that narrow transparency, weaken oversight, or privilege political convenience over democratic integrity.”

The CSOs, therefore, urged citizens, INEC and all stakeholders to “demand that the Senate push back on this vote by seizing the opportunity of the Conference Committee of the two Chambers.”

The coalition further urged the “Conference Committee to: Adopt the position of the House of Representatives approving compulsory real-time electronic transmission of results, including the comparison of electronically transmitted results with physical copies.
Retain existing statutory timelines for notice of elections, party primaries, and publication of candidates’ lists to safeguard planning, logistics, and electoral certainty.

“We urge citizens to demand accountable representation from their legislators in the National Assembly by pressuring them to prioritise public interest and the integrity of the elections by passing the provisions on real-time electronic transmission of election results and resisting any attempt to weaken established timelines that are crucial for conducting credible elections.”

Politics

BREAKING: 17 ADC Reps Follow Join NDC

Published

1 hour ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

About 17 African Democratic Congress, ADC, lawmakers in the House of Representatives have defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

This was disclosed by Speaker Abass Tajudeen on the floor of the House on Tuesday.

Tajudeen also announced the defection of Leke Abejide from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Lawmakers who defected to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike.

Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene and Abdulhakeem Ado.

This comes barely a day after former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso defected from the ADC to the NDC.

Obi and Kwankwaso have pledged to continue their pursuit for a better Nigeria in the NDC.

Politics

JUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up

Published

21 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has given reasons why he resigned from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, alongside a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

In a long post on X on Monday, Obi insisted it was not out of anger or ambition.

Rather, he said the move is a continuation of the quest to build a new Nigeria.

Obi wrote: “Yesterday, I formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside my dear brother, Engr. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with one clear purpose: to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria built on justice, competence, accountability, and compassion for the ordinary Nigerian.

“As I stated yesterday, this decision was not made out of anger, personal ambition, or convenience. It came after deep reflection on the present condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from the dangerous path it is currently heading.

“Over the years, I have remained steadfast in my conviction that politics should never be about individuals, positions, or personal gain. It must be about the people, especially the millions of Nigerians who today can no longer afford necessities, whose businesses are collapsing, whose children are losing hope, and whose future is becoming increasingly uncertain.

“I left the ADC for the same reason I left the Labour Party: the severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises deliberately designed to ensure that I, alongside many other notable individuals, do not effectively participate in the electoral process. I sincerely appreciate and remain deeply grateful to the Leadership of ADC for the opportunity to work together in pursuit of a better Nigeria. I am particularly grateful to ADC Chairman Senator David Mark for his exceptional Leadership. I also deeply appreciate my Leader and elder brother YE, Atiku Abubakar, as well as other respected leaders within the party.

“As we join the NDC, I sincerely appeal to the Nigerian Government against the encouragement of unresolved litigations and the infusion of crises within political parties. Democracy must never become a weapon against the people. A healthy democracy thrives on strong institutions, credible alternatives, and the freedom of citizens to make choices without intimidation, manipulation, or fear. Opposition parties must not be weakened or destroyed, because when democracy loses balance, the people ultimately suffer.

“Nigeria today is passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Poverty is rising. Hunger is widespread. Insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods. Businesses are shutting down daily. Our young people are becoming discouraged, and many citizens have lost faith in the system. At a time like this, leadership must be driven not by propaganda or division, but by competence, capacity, character, and compassion.

“Our decision to join the NDC is therefore not an abandonment of values, but a continuation of the same mission we have always stood for: building a Nigeria where leadership is about service, where public resources are managed responsibly, where institutions function independently, and where every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, region, or social status, can live with dignity, security, and hope.

“I remain committed to working with all Nigerians of goodwill across political, ethnic, and religious lines. The task before us is bigger than any individual or political party. It is about the future of our children and the survival of our dear nation.

“I thank Nigerians, especially our youths and women, for remaining peaceful, resilient, and hopeful despite the enormous challenges confronting the country. I urge you not to lose faith in Nigeria. Nations do not change because people surrender to hopelessness; they change because people continue to believe, continue to sacrifice, and continue to stand for what is right.”

Politics

Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Formally Join NDC, Warn Members Against Litigation

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned party members to steer clear of any form of litigation that can plunge the party into chaos ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking in Abuja on Sunday after he was formally joined the party alongside the former governor of Kano State,

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso , the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party(LP), urged members to embrace dialogue in the interest of the party

“Please let there be no litigation. Party members, please don’t go to court. We want to build a party, we are not lawyers,” he pleaded.

The two political figures were received into the opposition party on Sunday at its national secretariat in Abuja.

Earlier, Obi had announced his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while Kwankwaso had indicated he was engaged in “wide-ranging consultations” with the NDC.

The National Chairman of the party, Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, presented membership cards to both leaders at the event.

Speaking afterwards, Kwankwaso said their engagement with NDC stakeholders was driven by a shared vision and ideological alignment.

“We came to discuss with stakeholders of the party and found that our ideologies and beliefs are largely the same,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to register with the NDC ahead of the deadline for party membership registration, stressing the need for broader participation in the political process.