National Assembly moves to conduct all elections in one day ahead of 2027
National Assembly moves to conduct all elections in one day ahead of 2027
The National Assembly is considering major amendments to Nigeria’s electoral laws, including a proposal that could see all federal and state elections held on the same day starting from 2027.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, disclosed this during a meeting in Abuja with a delegation from the European Union Election Observation Follow-up Mission to Nigeria.
The delegation, led by EU parliamentarian Barry Andrews, has been in the country for three weeks to assess progress on the EU’s post-election recommendations following the 2023 general elections.
Abbas said the National Assembly is taking electoral reform seriously and working to address issues identified by both domestic stakeholders and international observers.
“I want to acknowledge that the leadership of the country under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to ensuring that we improve on our electoral processes, particularly regarding the observations made (by international observers) on the 2023 elections,” Abbas stated.
He emphasised that legislators are reviewing a broad range of concerns that arose from the last election cycle and are crafting amendments to ensure that future elections are “more transparent, acceptable and in alignment with international standards.”
Among the reforms under consideration are reserved seats in parliament for women and persons with disabilities (PWDs), financial and constitutional recognition for traditional rulers, and the introduction of a single-day election for all offices — presidential, governorship, national assembly, and state assembly positions.
Abbas said lawmakers recently held a joint leadership meeting between the House and the Senate to accelerate the electoral reform process.
“We agreed that because of some of the amendments that we want to bring forth – (some are by way of Act of Parliament, some are by constitutional amendment) we will fast track and isolate the electoral issues and take them as one, single entity; and push them forward for the National Assembly to deliberate and take a position; and then send them to the sub-nationals (state Houses of Assembly) to also consider within a short timeframe – between now and December,” he said.
He further reassured that the parliament is “very serious” about the reform agenda, citing both institutional and financial motivations for the proposed changes. According to Abbas, the idea of a single-day election could significantly streamline the electoral process and reduce overall costs by as much as 40%.
Meanwhile, the EU delegation also visited the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where Chairman Mahmood Yakubu warned that delays in passing key amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 could hinder early preparations for the 2027 general election.
In addition to INEC, the mission also met with political stakeholders, including the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as part of its broader consultation process.
The European Union had made several recommendations following the 2023 general elections, focusing on improving transparency, voter participation, and public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process — issues now being actively considered by the National Assembly in its reform efforts.
Abbas said: “Like the single-day election, it is to hold the election of the president, National Assembly membership, governorship and state House of Assembly membership elections on the same day.
“In our own thinking, it will help to reduce our electoral costs to as much as 40 per cent if we can hold the elections within a day. It will also improve transparency and increase efficiency, particularly on the turnout of voters.”
“One takeaway from this meeting is to take the assurance from me and my colleagues that we will not be late. We will do the needful as far as legislation is concerned to enable INEC to have all the necessary tools and provisions to make the 2027 election much better than the 2023 election,” he said.
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282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
A Qatar Airways passenger plane on Friday made an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos after developing a technical fault mid-flight.
The aircraft, which had 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board, was forced to land abruptly after the malfunction was detected while it was operating within Nigerian airspace.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
According to him, the agency was alerted to the situation through its 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines, prompting an immediate response from emergency officials.
He explained that upon receiving the distress call, the LASEMA Response Team (LRT) was swiftly deployed to the airport to assess the situation and provide necessary support.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the LASEMA Response Team confirmed that the aircraft was in distress,” the statement noted.
“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport with LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extreme high alert on the runway.
“Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs.”
“All passengers of the distressed airplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported, no loss of lives,” the statement said.
Despite the technical issue and the emergency landing, the agency stated that there was the aircraft experienced no major damage.
“The aircraft has been secured on the apron. Recovery activities have been completed,” the statement added.
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80 repentant militants surrender arms, assorted weapons to Nigerian Army
80 repentant militants surrender arms, assorted weapons to Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the voluntary surrender of 80 militants in Cross River State under the amnesty programme of the state government.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade, Maj. Yemi Sokoya, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
Sokoya said that the militants surrendered in the early hours of Friday, at Atimbo Rear Area, following Operation OKWOK, in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, within the area of responsibility of the 13 Brigade.
According to him, the repentant militants emerged from two camps, with one group led by ThankGod Ebikontei, also known as Ayibanuagha, presenting 39 fighters.
He said that the second camp, headed by John Isaac, also known as Akpokolo, submitted 41 fighters.
Sokoya added that assorted arms, ammunition and other items, were also voluntarily surrendered during the exercise.
He said that these included: rifles, pump-action guns, single-barrel weapons, magazines, ammunition, speed boats, boat engines and other military-related equipment.
The Commander, 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Paul Alimikhena, described the development as a major confidence-building milestone.
He attributed it to sustained military operations, constructive engagement and effective collaboration with the Cross River State Government and other security agencies.
He said that the brigade would continue to provide a secure environment, while supporting lawful initiatives aimed at reintegrating repentant youths, and ensuring lasting peace across in the area.
The commander said that the surrendered militants had been handed over to the Cross River State Government’s Rapid Response Team and were undergoing profiling by the state’s Department of State Services (DSS).
He commended the State Government, under Gov. Bassey Otu, for its commitment to peace and security.
He also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information. (NAN)
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My Husband wants to have s3x with me eight times everynight – Housewife cries for help
My Husband wants to have s3x with me eight times everynight – Housewife cries for help
A Harare woman, Melocia Gwata, has successfully obtained a court-issued protection order against her husband, George Kusotera, following allegations of excessive sexual demands and physical abuse.
The case was heard at the Harare Civil Court before Magistrate Judith Taruvinga, where Melocia detailed the severity of her ordeal. She told the court that her husband had coerced her into sexual activity up to eight times a night, resorting to violence whenever she refused.
“He wants to have s3x every day and wakes me up in the middle of the night, even after we’ve been intimate countless times on the same day,” Melocia stated.
She further described how the abuse extended beyond physical coercion, with George allegedly threatening divorce and verbally assaulting her in front of their children.
“He has been assaulting me in front of our children, shouting obscenities and telling them I don’t deserve to be called their mother,” she added, highlighting the emotional toll the behaviour has taken on her and the family.
In response, George acknowledged his actions, apologising to his wife and attributing his conduct to love. “I did not realise I was making her uncomfortable. I apologise and promise not to physically abuse her anymore,” he told the court.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Taruvinga granted Melocia a protection order, legally preventing her husband from further abuse and ensuring her safety.
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