General News
Senate Cites Data for Making Electronic Transmission of Results Optional
The Senate has defended its decision to make electronic transmission of election results discretionary rather than mandatory in the proposed Electoral Bill 2026, saying the move was guided by empirical evidence about Nigeria’s infrastructure limitations.
Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this in a statement issued Sunday through his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, stressing that lawmakers must base decisions on “facts and realities” rather than sentiment. According to him, legislative responsibilities require careful consideration of the country’s technological and power capacity to avoid laws that could destabilize governance.
The controversy centers on Clause 60(3) of the bill, which originally required presiding officers to electronically transmit polling unit results in real time to the election portal managed by Independent National Electoral Commission. The Senate reviewed the clause, removing the phrase “real time” and adding a caveat that where internet connectivity fails, Form EC8A would serve as the primary collation document.
Bamidele noted that while real-time transmission could strengthen public confidence in democratic institutions, including the National Assembly, lawmakers concluded that Nigeria’s infrastructure could not yet guarantee seamless implementation nationwide.
Quoting figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission, he said broadband coverage stood at about 70 percent in 2025, while internet penetration reached only 44.53 percent of the population. He also cited international network performance rankings showing Nigeria placed 85th of 105 countries in mobile network reliability and 129th of 150 in fixed broadband reliability.
He contrasted Nigeria’s average mobile speed of 44.14 Mbps with far higher figures recorded in countries such as United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Bulgaria. For fixed broadband, he said Nigeria ranked far behind global leaders like Singapore, France, Chile and Hong Kong.
The Senate leader also pointed to power supply constraints, stating that about 85 million Nigerians—roughly 43 percent of the population—lack access to grid electricity. Although generation capacity ranges between 12,000 and 13,500 megawatts, he said transmission and distribution systems can deliver only about 4,500 megawatts nationwide.
Given these conditions, Bamidele argued that mandating real-time electronic transmission could trigger disputes or crises if infrastructure fails during elections. Making the provision optional, he said, ensures flexibility while preserving electronic transmission as part of the electoral framework.
He maintained that lawmakers must enact legislation grounded in verifiable realities. “If our law does not capture the realities of the federation, then it is a script for anarchy or a ploy for instability,” he said, adding that the revised clause seeks to balance technological aspirations with existing limitations.
Abubakar Usman, a fisherman from Maiyama Local Government Area in Kebbi State, stole the spotlight at this year’s Argungu International Fishing Festival by landing a massive 59-kilogram fish, earning him the title of overall champion.
For his remarkable catch, Usman was awarded two brand-new Toyota vehicles by the Sokoto State Government, along with a cash prize of N1 million.
Second place went to Abdullahi Garba of Argungu Local Government Area, whose 40-kilogram fish secured him a Toyota saloon car donated by WACOTT Rice Mills Limited and N1 million in cash.
The third-place position was shared by Danlansu Dankani of Jega and another contestant, each presenting 34-kilogram catches. Both received N1 million and a motorcycle.
The festival’s grand finale, held in Argungu, drew a large audience and high-profile guests, including President Bola Tinubu, who served as the Special Guest of Honour.
Tinubu praised the festival as more than a competition, calling it a celebration of unity, cultural pride, and peaceful coexistence, while highlighting its potential to drive economic growth through tourism and natural resources.
The President also commended the Kebbi State Government for ensuring security and smooth organisation, applauding Governor Nasir Idris for his development initiatives.
Tinubu expressed gratitude for having the state’s ultra-modern secretariat named after him and promised continued federal support to boost peace and tourism in the region.
Governor Idris, in his address, cited key achievements of his administration, including expanded road networks, rehabilitation of health facilities, distribution of agricultural inputs, and timely payment of workers’ salaries, asserting that the government has fulfilled a significant portion of its campaign promises within three years.
Meanwhile, the Emir of Argungu, Muhammad Sama’ila-Mera, addressed a minor disruption that occurred before the President’s arrival, when more than 50,000 fishermen reportedly entered the Matan Fada River ahead of schedule.
The monarch underscored the festival’s cultural importance and urged the federal government to revive the stalled permanent fishing centre project, previously recognised by UNESCO.
The Delta State Government has carried out renovations on more than 400 dispensaries across the state, alongside upgrades of several general and cottage hospitals, in a move aimed at improving access to quality healthcare.
Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, revealed that a new Specialist Hospital is currently under construction in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area. The facility, when completed, will complement existing tertiary health institutions in Asaba, Oghara, and Warri, further expanding the state’s medical capacity.
He noted that beyond infrastructural improvements, the administration has invested in modern medical equipment for public hospitals. This includes advanced diagnostic machines such as MRI scanners, which were previously available mainly in private health facilities.
Aniagwu stressed that the government is not only focused on building structures but also on equipping them with up-to-date technology and strengthening the workforce required to manage them effectively.
According to him, the Oborevwori administration’s emphasis on grassroots infrastructure, improved healthcare access, and human capital development is part of a broader strategy to enhance living standards and promote inclusive growth across Delta State.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sympathy for the traders and residents of Kano State following a destructive fire at Kano’s Singer Market over the weekend.
This was disclosed in statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Sunday in Abuja.
The blaze, which broke out on Saturday evening and continued into Sunday morning, caused significant damage to the food market. The President, who had earlier contacted Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for a situation report, described the incident as “tragic.”
President Tinubu expressed particular concern that the fire comes less than two weeks after a previous blaze destroyed dozens of shops and property at the same market.
In response, the President has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the recurrent fires, emphasizing the need to safeguard traders’ livelihoods and prevent further loss.