Opposition Senators have blatantly rejected the amended Electoral Act which was passed by the Senate on Wednesday.

While speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who spoke on behalf of the lawmakers, stated that the Electoral Reform Bill passed by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio was not the version approved by the Senate.

He said they are shocked, just as Nigerians are by what was eventually passed.

More details to follow…..

Engr. Femi Sanni (Araba) has expressed profound grief over the brutal killings in Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area, describing the attack as a painful assault on the peace-loving people of Kwara North and their long-standing tradition of religious tolerance and communal harmony.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Engnr. Sanni said the massacre struck at the very heart of Kaiama, a land known for its coexistence, dignity of labour, and firm rejection of extremism in all its forms.

“The people of Kaiama, Woro, Nuku and neighbouring communities have practised Islam as a religion of peace for generations,” he said.

“Those who carried out this barbaric act are not representatives of the faith or our culture.

“They are violent extremists twisting religion to advance sinister and destructive motives.”

Engnr. Sanni noted that the attack was particularly tragic because it targeted innocent villagers who refused indoctrination and stood by the moderate, non-violent values that have defined Kwara North for decades.

He commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his swift response, presence, and decisive engagement with security authorities, describing the Governor’s actions as reassuring to grieving families and reflective of leadership that understands the peculiar security challenges of the Kwara North axis.

“Our people needed reassurance, and the Governor did not hesitate,” Araba said.

“His prompt intervention and coordination with federal authorities helped restore confidence that Kwara North will not be abandoned to terror.”

The statement also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strong condemnation of the killings and for approving the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama under Operation Savannah Shield.

Engnr. Sanni welcomed the President’s clear description of the attackers as terrorists and extremists, stressing that naming the crime correctly was essential to defeating it.

“The President’s position affirms what the people of Kwara North already know: this was not banditry for ransom, but calculated terror aimed at breaking our communities,” he said.

He further lauded President Tinubu’s call for close collaboration between the Federal Government and sub-national authorities, noting that sustained synergy among security agencies, traditional institutions and local stakeholders was critical to restoring lasting peace in Kaiama, Baruten, Edu and other vulnerable border communities.

Engnr. Sanni prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed, strength for the bereaved families, and healing for survivors. He urged residents of Kwara North to remain united, vigilant and supportive of security efforts.

“This tragedy will not define us. Justice will be served, peace will return, and our communities will rise stronger,” Arabs said.

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has called on the South East Development Commission, SEDC to produce a simple, measurable, impactful plan for the South East, which could be known and referred to as Nigeria’s Marshall Plan for the South East

Speaking at the South East Vision 2050 Stakeholder Forum, Governor Soludo—a renowned economist and former Central Bank Governor—delivered a sobering yet hopeful assessment of the region’s trajectory.

He emphasized that gradually coming out of an insecurity situation with the best Christmas ever, for the first time in recent memory, the political will of the region’s leadership is aligned.

He tasked the commission with focusing on three deliverables including regional security and funding, super interstate infrastructure; with highways and runways connecting major cities, gas pipelines, seaports, as well as institutional framework for coordination.

According to the Governor, the South East Vision 2050 strategy should be rightly regarded as a “post-war reconstruction” effort, calling for unprecedented regional unity to improve the zone’s economic significance.

Soludo noted that the gathering represented a departure from the fragmented efforts of the past. He signaled that the era of “going it alone” is over.

“Today is history in the making. What we have yearned for decades is finally taking shape. I can say with confidence that the governors in the region are now more united than ever.”

Addressing the skepticism surrounding long-term developmental blueprints, Soludo challenged technocrats to bridge the gap between academic theory and political reality.

While every state has its internal roadmap including Anambra’s Vision 2070 which he chaired, Soludo argued that execution has often been the Achilles’ heel.

“There have been many plans; is this going to be another plan? Technocrats must understand that politics and policy work hand in hand. If you don’t navigate the political landscape, the best policies will sit on a shelf.”

Governor Soludo did not mince words regarding the current economic standing of the South East. Despite the entrepreneurial spirit of its people, he noted that the region’s domestic economy remains punchless because its primary capital resides elsewhere.

“Economically speaking, the South East is insignificant. Our wealth is largely outside the South East,” Soludo remarked.

He urged the commission to “Keep it simple” and focus 70 percent of its energy on what can actually be delivered, describing the current initiative as being in a “post-war reconstruction mode,” aimed at building a sustainable homeland for over 35 million Ndigbo.

On funding, the Governor made it clear that while the states will drive the vision, the financial heavy lifting must come from the center and the business community.

“The plan will largely be funded by the Federal Government and the private sector, pleading with President Bola Tinubu to give the full funding required for this transformation.”

In closing, Governor Soludo reminded stakeholders that time is a luxury the region does not have. He called for the Commission to act as a cohesive unit to ensure measurable and achievable goals.

“As governors, we are beneficiaries of this collective effort. We need to come together. This is an agenda with a deadline, and speed is of the essence.”

Declaring the summit open earlier, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima said the South East region is known for ingenuity and enterprise and it remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth. He commended the SEDC, adding that the forum should be the foundation for collaboration.

Governors of Enugu, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi, all spoke at the event. They expressed optimism that as a result of this initiative, opportunities would be created for the States to integrate and build the South East economy collectively

The Chairman of SEDC, Chief Emeka Nwogu and it’s Managing Director, Mark Okoye, described the event as a visionary moment for the region, appreciated the President for establishing the Commission which, he says, is poised to transform ideas into bankable projects.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu was also at the occasion.

The event had the theme: “Charting a Shared Path to Sustainable Prosperity for The South East.”

Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has condemned the terrorist attacks on Woro and Nuku communities in Kwara State, which reportedly killed at least 162 people.

Obi in a statement described the killings as more severe than what is witnessed in some countries at war, calling for urgent action to address Nigeria’s insecurity.

He expressed condolences to the families of the victims, the affected communities, and the government and people of Kwara State, saying “Every loss of innocent life is tragic, and these killings represent a major failure for us as a nation”.

He urged authorities to restore peace, apprehend and prosecute those responsible, and reassure Nigerians that their lives are valued and protected.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the deployment of soldiers to the affected communities, with the military launching Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate terrorists and protect vulnerable communities.

Ghana and Zambia have agreed to introduce visa-free travel for citizens of both countries, marking a significant step toward closer diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two African nations.

The agreement was reached during a three-day state visit to Zambia by Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, who was received in Lusaka by his Zambian counterpart, President Hakainde Hichilema. Officials said the visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding collaboration in key sectors.

Under the new arrangement, citizens of Ghana and Zambia will be able to travel to each other’s countries without the need for entry visas. Officials described the deal as the first visa waiver agreement between a West African country and a Southern African nation.

Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the agreement was concluded after last-minute discussions between officials of both governments. He explained that negotiations initially stalled due to differences in passport categories between the two countries.

According to Ablakwa, Ghana issues three types of passports—diplomatic, service and ordinary—while Zambia recognises only diplomatic and ordinary passports. Zambian authorities had raised concerns that the systems were not aligned, but the issue was resolved following high-level consultations.

Ablakwa said the breakthrough came after Zambian officials sought approval from President Hichilema late on Tuesday night, leading to the final agreement.

The effective date for the implementation of visa-free travel has not yet been announced.

Ghana is among a small number of African countries that grant visa-free entry to citizens of all African nations. Since President Mahama returned to office in January 2025, Ghana has signed bilateral visa-free agreements with 15 African countries.

Other African nations that currently allow visa-free entry to all Africans include Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia and Benin.

The Ghana-Zambia agreement comes amid broader continental efforts to ease travel restrictions, boost intra-African trade and tourism, and advance regional integration, although progress has varied across countries and regions.

Mr. Clement Nwankwo, convener of the Civil Society Situation Room, is urging Nigerians to speak out against the Electoral Act Amendment Bill passed by the Senate, citing concerns that it may undermine future election credibility.

Nwankwo made the call on Thursday while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show which was monitored by Diaspora Digital Media.

He argued that the version passed by the red carpet chamber does not reflect the position of the majority of senators and could create serious issues for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“I think citizens have to raise their voices. I know that the Situation Room organised a protest last week. I believe that this will continue,” Nwankwo said.

He commended the role of organised labour, the media and civil society groups in sustaining public engagement on the bill.

“I think the labour unions, citizens, the media have been doing an excellent job. Even in your programme, your analysis and your comments on these issues are so very important, and it is important that this continues,” he added.

Nwankwo noted that the outcome of the Senate vote was determined by procedural control rather than a genuine majority decision.

“What I see that has been passed is really the views of those who have the power to hit the gavel and decide whether a yes is a yes or a no is a no in terms of voting,” he said.

He claimed that several senators were unhappy with how the decision was taken.

“I know that a lot of senators themselves are very aggrieved by the way the gavel has been hit on this matter,” Nwankwo said.

He urged Nigerians to push for the adoption of the version of the bill passed by the House of Representatives, which he said better reflected public consultations and stakeholders’ input.

“I think that citizens should canvass that the version that the House of Representatives has passed, which is very much more in consonance with the consultations that the National Assembly has had with citizens, should be what is retained,” he said.

Nwankwo warned that changes introduced by the Senate, particularly the rejection of electronic transmission of results and the alteration of electoral timelines, could lead to serious logistical problems for INEC.

“But as it is today, what the National Assembly has done, the Senate particularly, is not the views of majority of senators. I am told what has happened is going to create electoral chaos,” he said.

“There is no way that these timelines that the Senate has tampered with will stand in terms of INEC’s logistics preparations. What has happened is that electoral chaos will be created by these new timelines that the Senate has put out as its position.”

Diaspora Digital Media reported that the Senate on Wednesday passed the bill after its third reading but rejected a proposed amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3, which would have made electronic transmission of election results mandatory.

Meanwhile, the development has drawn criticism from the media and other stakeholders who insist that electronic transmission is crucial to ensuring free, fair and credible elections ahead of the 2027 polls.

By Agency Report

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered two new political parties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the registration has increased the total number of registered parties in Nigeria to 21.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during the commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja.

The two new parties, according to Amupitan, are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

He explained that DLA was registered, being the only association out of the 171 associations seeking INEC registration as political parties, and that NDC was registered in obedience to a court order.

Amupitan recalled that INEC received a total of 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

He said the associations were assessed in line with Sections 222 and 223 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Sections 75 and 79(1), (2) and (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as Clause 2 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.

“Consequently, 14 associations that satisfied the initial pre-qualification were invited to proceed to the next stage. Of these, eight successfully uploaded their documents on the commission’s dedicated portal.

“They are the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA), Abundance Social Party (ASP), African Alliance Party (AAP), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Green Future Party (GFP), National Democratic Party (NDP) and the Peoples Freedom Party (PFP).

“Out of the eight above, only two qualified for final assessment and verification of due compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

“After due consideration, only the Democratic Leadership Alliance was found to have complied fully with the requirements of the law.

“Accordingly, the commission decided to register the DLA as a political party, effective from today, Feb.5, 2025.

“Furthermore, the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi, in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025 between Barr Takori Mohammed Sanni & Ors v. INEC ordered the commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

“The commission has decided to comply with the order and is being registered as a political party. Certificate of Registration will be handed over to the two new political parties in due course,” he said.

Amupitan, however, expressed concerns over increasing internal crossing within political parties, urging party leaders to prioritise constructive dialogue over divisive disputes, to foster unity within their ranks.

He expressed INEC’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral processes, which was being challenged by increasingly frequent leadership squabbles within various political parties across the nation.

He said the essence of democracy was rooted in the ability of political parties to flourish, debate, and contest ideologies in a manner that respected the tenets of fair play and mutual respect.

“However, it is with great concern that I note the current trend of infighting among party leaderships, which not only detracts from the core objectives of these political entities but also spills over into unnecessary legal battles that tax our judicial system and public resources.

“These numerous litigations, in which the commission often finds itself joined as a party, divert our attention from our primary mandate: to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria.

“As the guardians of our electoral process, we are compelled to address these issues not just for the sake of our institution but for the greater good of our democracy.

“The implications of these squabbles are far-reaching. They create an environment of uncertainty for party members and supporters, erode public trust in the political system, and undermine the democratic process that we all hold dear.

“Each litigation not only consumes time and resources but also distracts from the important work of mobilising voters and engaging with the public on critical national issues,” he said.

Amupitan said that as an Independent body, INEC remained neutral but reminded all political parties that cohesive and transparent leadership remained essential for the health of our democracy.

“We urge party leaders to prioritise constructive dialogue over divisive disputes, to foster unity within their ranks, and to focus on policy development and community engagement rather than internal strife,” he said.

NAN

…Calls for naational day of prayer and urgent U.S. security assistance

Save Nigeria Group (SNG) USA has strongly condemned the horrific and senseless massacre of more than 170 innocent Nigerians in the Woro and Nuku communities of Kwara State.

With dozens still missing and reports of additional bodies being recovered, the group in a statement issued by it’s president, Stephen Osemwegie, said the attack represents a catastrophic failure of security and a profound moral stain on the nation’s conscience.

“While official figures confirm at least 172 deaths, credible reports from local sources indicate the death toll may exceed 300, as search teams continue to recover victims from surrounding bushland. The attack—allegedly carried out by the Lakurawa extremist group, who reportedly executed residents for refusing to renounce their allegiance—confirms that no region of Nigeria is immune from the expanding threat of terrorism”, the statement partly reads.

SNG called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fulfill the most basic constitutional duty of government—the protection of lives and property, adding that Nigeria’s current insecurity trajectory is unsustainable.

“As political actors prematurely shift into election-mode ahead of 2027, we issue a stark reminder—there will be no country to govern if citizens continue to be slaughtered in their homes.

“Nigeria is bleeding, and we cannot afford denial or delay,” said Stephen Osemwegie, President of Save Nigeria Group USA.
“Those who pretend these attacks do not concern them are merely waiting their turn. A ‘wait-and-see’ approach is a death sentence for the Nigerian people.

“In light of the declining capacity of local forces to counter increasingly sophisticated terror networks, SNG USA makes a formal appeal to President Donald J. Trump and the United States Government to expand security cooperation with Nigeria. We urge the deployment of additional U.S. military advisers, intelligence support, and technical assistance to help close critical gaps within Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.

“A stable Nigeria is indispensable to the security of West Africa and the transatlantic community. American expertise is urgently needed to dismantle these terror networks before they succeed in destabilizing the entire region, the statement added.

Also, the group called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society, and political opposition to set aside partisan interests and form a United Front Against Terrorism.

The statement further added: “We also call for a National Day of Prayer for Nigeria, urging Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to seek divine intervention—for the souls of the departed, comfort for grieving families, and wisdom and courage for national leaders.

“Save Nigeria Group USA will not stand by while the nation is carved up by extremists.
We demand, An immediate, transparent investigation into the security failures in Kwara State

“The deployment of advanced surveillance and border-monitoring technology across Kwara and Niger States

“An urgent shift from political posturing back to governance, security, and national defense

“The effort to save Nigeria will fail if political ambition continues to be valued above human life.”

The village head of Woro in Kwara State, Umar Bio Salihu, has alleged serious security lapses following a deadly attack on his community, revealing that soldiers arrived nearly 10 hours after armed terrorists killed scores of residents and razed several villages.

Speaking on Thursday during an interview on ARISE News, Salihu said the attack began around 5:00pm and lasted for hours, despite distress calls made to security agencies shortly after it started. According to him, military personnel only arrived at about 3:00am the next day, by which time the attackers had already withdrawn.

“I called after 5pm, but they did not come until about 3am. That was about 10 hours,” Salihu said.

He stated that no confrontation occurred between the military and the attackers, as they had fled before security forces arrived. He also confirmed that there was no air support or aerial interdiction during the assault.

“The military did not engage them. The bandits had gone when the military came. There was no air operation; no ammunition was dropped,” he said.

Salihu explained that the community had been left exposed after soldiers previously stationed in the area were withdrawn months earlier, following an earlier attack on the military base.

“Initially, we had about 15 soldiers stationed there. About three to five months ago, they were attacked, and since then, they were evacuated. We have had no security presence,” he said, adding that this created an opportunity for the attackers to strike freely.

He identified the assailants as members of the Mamuda terrorist group and linked the violence to the community’s refusal to accept the group’s ideology.

“Our people are not ready to take that ideology. I believe that is what made them angry enough to attack,” he said.

The village head also dismissed suggestions that the killings were religiously motivated, noting that most of the victims were Muslims.

“About 95 per cent of those killed are Muslims, while about five per cent are Christians,” he stated.

Salihu further disclosed that he had reported a threat letter to security agencies days before the attack, raising concerns that intelligence handling may have been compromised.

“When the letter was brought to me, I sent it to the DSS in Kiama that same night. The next day, I took it to the Emirate Council for documentation,” he said.

He suggested that subsequent patrols by security agents may have alerted the terrorists, triggering the attack.

“As of yesterday, we buried 75 people, but there are still bodies in the bush,” Salihu said, warning that the death toll could rise. He added that several villages were destroyed during the assault, including his own home.

“They burned almost half of the villages, including my house,” he said.

Salihu confirmed that Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq visited the affected communities and ordered immediate security reinforcements.

“The governor came personally and saw the level of destruction. Immediately, security was deployed. About 15 soldiers were sent initially, and there are now around 80 security personnel in the area,” he said.

The attack has renewed concerns over delayed security response, intelligence coordination, and the vulnerability of rural communities in Nigeria’s North-Central region.