Electoral Act: Senate bows to People Power, endorses Electronic-Transmission of Election Results

The Senate on Tuesday rescinded its earlier decision on Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act relating to electronic transmission of election results.

The senate had earlier passed the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill, retaining Clause 60(3) of the principal law, which provided for transfer of results during the February 4 plenary.

The earlier passage had generated heated debates among Nigerians, particularly on provisions regarding electronic transmission of results from polling units.

At the emergency plenary on Tuesday, the Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, sought the senate approval to rescind his earlier motion adopted during the February 4 sitting.

The motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Abba Moro.

Moving the motion, Monguno recalled the passage of the Electoral Act Repeal and Enactment Bill by the senate last Wednesday.

“Note that upon careful examination of the bill, fresh issues have emerged in respect of clause 60(3), requiring further legislative consideration for smooth, transparent elections.

“Relying on the provisions of Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023, as amended, I hereby move accordingly.

“That I resolve to rescind my earlier motion on Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act Bill, as previously passed by the senate to replace ‘transfer’ with ‘transmit’.

“I also move that clause 60(3) be recommitted to the committee of the whole for further reconsideration and passage.

“The reason behind this amendment is that I was the one who moved the motion for the retention of the existing act.

“The controversy that it has generated has led me to rescind the decision,” Monguno stated.

During the reconsideration of the motion, the senate adopted all the clauses of the Electoral Act amendment bill after extensive deliberations by lawmakers.

The clause 60(3) was amended to mandate electronic transmission of results from polling units to IReV after EC8A forms might have been signed and stamped.

The amendment specified the signing by the presiding officer and available party agents at polling units before the electronic transmission.

It also provided that where electronic transmission failed due to communication issues, the EC8A form signed or countersigned shall remain primary.

The amendment further stated that in such cases, the signed EC8A shall serve as the basis for collation and declaration of election results.

The amended clause 60(3) reads: “that results shall be transmitted electronically from each polling unit to IReV.

“And such transmission shall be done after the prescribed EC8A has been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and party agents who are available at the polling unit.

“Provided that if the electronic transmission of the result fails as a result of communication failure, the result contained in form EC8A signed by the presiding officer and/or countersigned by the polling agents shall, in such a case, be the primary source of coalition and declaration of results.”

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, thereafter, listed the names of the conference committee, chaired by Simon Lalong (APC-Plateau South) and other members to harmonise the electoral act for the president’s assent.

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Renegotiated Agreement: FG begins Payment of Salary, Allowance to Varsity Teachers

The Federal Government has begun implementing key welfare components of its renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, in a directive issued to Vice-Chancellors of federal universities on Monday, announced a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for ASUU members, effective from January 1, 2026.

Alausa reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of academic staff and the stability of the university system.

He said some federal universities had already reflected the increase in salary payments.

He directed all federal universities to ensure full compliance, integrating the approved increment into their payroll structures so all eligible academic staff benefit.

The Minister also stressed strict adherence to the implementation of the Consolidated Tools Allowance (CATA), noting that its payment has been captured and circularised by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and included in the 2026 budget.

He urged university management to use available resources to ensure prompt payment of CATA in line with NSIWC guidelines.

Alausa said timely implementation of both the CAA increase and CATA would strengthen the academic environment, enhance staff morale, and improve teaching, research, and learning outcomes.

He reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to honour agreements with education stakeholders and remain committed to constructive engagement, transparency, industrial harmony, and continuous improvement of quality education in Nigeria.

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Tinubu: Terrorists, Bandits have kept all of us sleepless at night but...

President Bola Tinubu on Monday declared that Nigeria would defeat terrorism and banditry, describing the threats as “unacceptable” and alien to the nation’s core values.

The president also tasked the National Economic Council (NEC) to drive inclusive growth, stressing the need for the effective implementation of the Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030.

Tinubu gave the charge while declaring open the Second National Economic Council Conference at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

He said insecurity remained a major hindrance to economic growth and required urgent collective action.

“I promise you here that I’ll play my part. Seven zones of mechanisation are coming.

“I promise Nigerians that this will be delivered, and I am here again to further find ways to strengthen our security forces and defeat terrorism.

“That, I promise you, is what has kept all of us sleepless at night, but I assure you we will win with determination and resilience.

“We will overcome this unacceptable terrorism and banditry. It’s not part of our culture. It’s foreign to us,” he said.

Tinubu welcomed state governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly, development partners and private sector leaders to the two-day conference.

The conference themed “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030.” was attended by critical stakeholders.

He praised NEC, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, for sustaining a platform for policy coordination and strategic dialogue.

“I am pleased to address the second edition of the National Economic Council Conference at a critical moment in Nigeria’s development journey.

“NEC remains a cornerstone of fiscal federalism and economic governance in our country,” he said.

The president said the administration’s reforms had helped stabilise the economy, restore confidence and improve global perception.

“I must say again at this juncture, the monetary policy that we have embarked on since the reforms has yielded positive results and gained recognition around the world,” he noted.

Tinubu explained that the Renewed Hope Ward Development Project was designed to deepen grassroots inclusion through a bottom-up approach.

He described the Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030 as evidence-based, realistic and anchored on inclusive and sustainable growth.

He said the plan prioritised economic diversification, human capital development and subnational competitiveness based on comparative advantage.

The president said the plan also focused on private sector-led growth and climate resilience.

Tinubu said the plan’s success would depend largely on how well states and local councils translate national priorities into measurable results.

He said NEC would remain central to aligning national goals with subnational realities.

He urged leaders to move from declarations to implementation through data-driven decisions, peer learning and innovative financing models.

“Nigeria’s diversity is our strength. When every state grows, Nigeria grows,” he said.

Tinubu said states and local governments now received increased and more predictable federal allocations to strengthen service delivery.

He said infrastructure development across transportation, power, digital connectivity, housing and irrigation had been prioritised.

The president also highlighted expanded social investment and human capital programmes targeting vulnerable households, youth, women and small businesses.

“These successes reflect strong collaboration among the federal and state governments, development partners and the private sector,” he said.

Tinubu expressed confidence that the conference resolutions would accelerate inclusive growth and sustainable national development.

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