Obi, Civil Groups Lead Abuja Protest Against Senate’s Electoral Act Position - Newstrends
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Obi, Civil Groups Lead Abuja Protest Against Senate’s Electoral Act Position

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Obi and Civil Groups Lead Abuja Protest Against Senate’s Electoral Act Position

Obi, Civil Groups Lead Abuja Protest Against Senate’s Electoral Act Position

Hundreds of protesters on Monday stormed the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, demanding that lawmakers explicitly mandate real-time electronic transmission of election results in the proposed Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, amid rising concerns over transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The protest, branded “Occupy National Assembly”, was organised by civil society organisations, youth groups, labour activists and opposition supporters who accused the Senate of attempting to weaken electoral safeguards by removing a clause that would have made electronic transmission of results compulsory from polling units.

Demonstrators carried placards calling for credible elections, results transparency, and accountability, insisting that vague legislative wording could reopen the door to election manipulation and undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

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Former presidential candidate Peter Obi joined the protest, urging lawmakers to prioritise national interest and democratic integrity. He stressed that clear, mandatory provisions for electronic transmission of results would strengthen trust in elections rather than disrupt them, warning that continued ambiguity could fuel voter apathy and political tension.

Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were heavily deployed around the National Assembly to maintain order as protesters gathered at the main entrance, chanting solidarity songs and demanding immediate legislative action.

The protest follows a controversial decision by the Senate to retain discretionary powers for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over results transmission, rather than mandating real-time electronic upload of polling unit results. Lawmakers defending the decision cited concerns over inconsistent network coverage in some parts of the country.

However, critics argue that such concerns should not override the need for clear legal backing for electronic result transmission, especially after its partial use during the 2023 general elections. They insist that strengthening the law would compel improvements in infrastructure rather than excuse electoral loopholes.

Adding to the pressure, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned of possible nationwide protests if the final version of the Electoral Act fails to guarantee electronic transmission and digital collation of results. Labour leaders say anything short of a firm legal mandate would amount to democratic regression.

The controversy has also exposed a rift between the Senate and the House of Representatives, with the lower chamber previously approving amendments that would make electronic transmission of election results mandatory. Both chambers are expected to reconcile their positions during the harmonisation process.

With public pressure mounting, attention is now focused on whether the National Assembly will amend the bill to clearly protect electoral transparency, a move many observers believe could shape voter confidence and political stability ahead of the 2027 elections.

Obi, Civil Groups Lead Abuja Protest Against Senate’s Electoral Act Position

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Lagos Club Robbery: Police Arrest Suspect After N5m Bounty

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Lagos Club Robbery: Police Arrest Suspect After N5m Bounty

Lagos Club Robbery: Police Arrest Suspect After N5m Bounty

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of the gang that allegedly robbed clubgoers outside Ghost and Spirits Lounge on Ekoro Road, Abule Egba, Lagos.

The suspect was reportedly identified from video footage of the incident, which showed several people being attacked outside the entertainment venue in the early hours of the morning.

The Lagos club robbery reportedly occurred at about 4am on Saturday after some customers had left the lounge and gathered around their vehicles.

Footage from the scene showed several clubgoers sitting around a vehicle when the suspected robbers approached.

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One of the suspects, reportedly dressed in a green shirt and cap, appeared to move among the people before allegedly targeting one of the victims.

Another member of the group was reportedly seen in an SUV parked across the road before a gunshot was fired, causing some of the people at the scene to run for safety.

The suspect in the green shirt was then allegedly seen taking a wristwatch from one of the victims, while other members of the group reportedly collected valuables before escaping in their vehicle.

Following the incident, the management of the lounge announced a N5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators.

The reward and subsequent investigation helped the police identify and track one of the suspects, who was eventually arrested.

A police source said the suspect was in custody and being interrogated, with investigators seeking information that could lead to the arrest of the other alleged members of the gang.

The Lagos Police Command has also intensified efforts to locate the remaining suspects, who are reportedly still at large.

The incident has raised concerns among residents and nightlife customers in Abule Egba, particularly over the security of people leaving entertainment venues during the early hours.

Police authorities have urged residents with useful information about the suspects or the robbery to assist the investigation.

The arrested suspect remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court, while investigations continue into the alleged robbery and the identities and whereabouts of the other suspects.

Lagos Club Robbery: Police Arrest Suspect After N5m Bounty

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Passenger Dies After Jumping From Moving Bus In Lagos

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Passenger Dies After Jumping From Moving Bus In Lagos

Passenger Dies After Jumping From Moving Bus In Lagos

A passenger has died after jumping from a moving commercial bus at Ogunlana Junction, inward Ojuelegba, in the Surulere area of Lagos.

The incident involved a Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number LND 130 XR, which reportedly crashed into a median pole around the Fallout area of Surulere.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said preliminary security reports indicated that the driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had been driving recklessly shortly before the crash.

According to the agency, motorists approaching the bus from behind had to exercise caution to avoid colliding with the vehicle as it reportedly moved erratically.

Amid the incident, a male passenger reportedly jumped from the moving bus, apparently attempting to escape from the uncontrolled vehicle. He sustained serious injuries after hitting the ground and later died from his injuries.

LASTMA officials conducting routine traffic surveillance along the Ojuelegba axis responded to the scene after noticing the crash. They secured the area, managed traffic and removed the damaged bus and the deceased passenger from the carriageway to reduce the risk of a secondary collision.

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Police officers from the Area C Police Division, Ojuelegba, provided security at the scene, while officials of the State Emergency Management Agency evacuated the remains of the deceased.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the incident as a reminder of the dangers associated with driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and operating vehicles that may not be mechanically fit for the road.

Bakare-Oki urged commercial and private motorists to conduct comprehensive checks on their vehicles before every journey, with particular attention to the braking system, tyres, steering mechanism and other critical safety components.

He also commiserated with the family of the deceased and reaffirmed LASTMA‘s commitment to responding promptly to road crashes, managing traffic and clearing accident scenes.

The agency urged motorists and other road users to report accidents, vehicle breakdowns and other traffic obstructions through its toll-free short code, 3367.

Passenger Dies After Jumping From Moving Bus In Lagos

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Kubwa Explosion: Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Outlet, Damages Nine Shops

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Kubwa Explosion- Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Outlet, Damages Nine Shops

Kubwa Explosion: Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Outlet, Damages Nine Shops

Panic broke out in Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday morning after a gas explosion rocked the Liberty Junction area, following a vehicle crash into a roadside gas retail outlet.

The incident occurred at about 6:15 a.m., sending a powerful blast through the area and causing nearby buildings to shake, while thick smoke and flames rose from the affected facility.

The vehicle reportedly veered off the road and crashed into the gas outlet, triggering the explosion and subsequent fire.

The impact affected several businesses around the junction, with reports indicating that nine shops were damaged or destroyed by the ensuing fire.

A nearby police traffic post was also reportedly uprooted by the force of the explosion, while other structures and sections of the surrounding area were damaged.

The vehicle involved in the crash was badly burnt in the incident. Emergency responders, however, reportedly rescued the driver and a child from the wreckage.

The injured driver was taken to a medical facility for treatment, while emergency personnel worked to prevent the fire from spreading to other shops and properties in the densely populated area.

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The explosion triggered panic among residents and commuters, with people reportedly rushing away from the scene as the fire continued to burn.

Emergency response agencies, including the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police Force, were deployed to the scene.

Firefighters battled the flames for hours before the situation was brought under control.

The incident also caused significant traffic disruption around Liberty Junction and the Kubwa axis, as motorists slowed down and emergency responders worked at the scene.

Security personnel subsequently moved people away from the immediate area and helped manage traffic while the damaged vehicle and other debris were cleared.

Initial reports did not indicate a confirmed death from the explosion, although the driver was reported to have sustained injuries.

Authorities had yet to provide a detailed official account explaining why the vehicle veered off the road or confirming the full extent of the damage and injuries as of the time of reporting.

The incident has again drawn attention to safety concerns surrounding gas outlets located close to busy roads, shops and residential areas, particularly in densely populated parts of the Federal Capital Territory.

Further assessment by relevant authorities is expected to establish the precise circumstances of the crash, the extent of the property damage and whether any safety breaches contributed to the incident.

Kubwa Explosion: Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Outlet, Damages Nine Shops

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