Senate Bows to Pressure, Mandates Electronic Transmission of Election Results

The Nigerian Senate has officially approved the electronic transmission of INEC election results, amending the Electoral Act to modernize the voting process and strengthen election transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The move comes after widespread protests, civil society advocacy, and pressure from political figures, including former presidential candidate Peter Obi, demanding real-time digital transmission of poll results to curb electoral fraud.

Under the amended Clause 60 of the Electoral Act, presiding officers are now required to digitally transmit election results from each polling unit directly to the INEC IReV portal immediately after the EC8A result form is signed and stamped. In situations where network connectivity fails, the signed paper EC8A forms will remain the official source for result collation and declaration.

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Experts describe the amendment as a major step toward digital voting transparency, though some critics caution that the manual fallback option could limit the full benefits of real-time election result transmission.

The bill will now be harmonized with the House of Representatives version before being sent to the President for assent, signaling a commitment to credible elections and improving public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.

This legislative update is expected to play a key role in Nigeria 2027 elections, reducing vote manipulation and ensuring that INEC election results are transmitted securely, efficiently, and transparently across the country.

Senate Bows to Pressure, Mandates Electronic Transmission of Election Results

Lagos Announces Four-Week Partial Closure of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

The Lagos State Government has announced a partial road closure on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway to allow the Federal Ministry of Works carry out critical rehabilitation on failed sections of the road.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, noting that the repairs would cover the stretch between U-Turn Bus Stop and Sango Tollgate, affecting both inbound and outbound lanes.

According to him, the rehabilitation work will begin on Wednesday, February 11, and end on Wednesday, March 11, spanning a four-week period.

Osiyemi explained that the project would be executed in two phases to minimise traffic disruption.

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For Phase One, which affects Abeokuta-bound traffic, work will run from February 11 to March 4. During this period, vehicles travelling from Lagos/Abule-Egba toward Abeokuta/Sango Tollgate will be diverted to one half of the carriageway, approximately 20 metres away from the active work zone.

He said rehabilitation would be carried out one lane at a time, with traffic redirected to completed sections as work progresses, while motorists on the Lagos-bound carriageway will continue to enjoy free traffic flow.

Phase Two, which affects Lagos-bound traffic, will take place from March 4 to March 11, covering the stretch from Obadeyi Bus Stop to Ekoro Junction. Traffic from Abeokuta/Sango Tollgate toward Lagos/Abule-Egba will be similarly diverted through half of the road during construction.

Osiyemi assured motorists that adequate traffic management measures would be deployed throughout the duration of the project.

He urged road users to plan their journeys, obey traffic signs, and cooperate with traffic officials, appealing for patience as the repairs are carried out in the interest of public safety.

Lagos Announces Four-Week Partial Closure of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

Oyo Muslims Reaffirm Loyalty to Sultan on Islamic Matters — Grand Chief Imam

The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh (Barrister) Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has reaffirmed the resolve of Muslims in Oyo Land to remain under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto on all Islamic-related matters.

He made this known amid what he described as persistent efforts by divisive elements to sow discord within the Muslim community in Yoruba Land for political reasons. According to him, Muslims in the region have continued to remain steadfast and united despite such provocations.

“The Ummah in Oyo Land will, by the will of Allah, continue to follow the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto in all Islamic matters,” Sheikh Akeugberu stated.

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He explained that the position aligns with established Islamic principles, noting that it is consistent with the Sunnah as enshrined in the Glorious Qur’an and the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Earlier, the Grand Chief Imam—who is also a legal practitioner and former Secretary-General of the Amalgamated Muslim Rights Concern (AMURIC)—issued an official statement from his office clarifying that Oyo Muslims would not independently declare the commencement of the Ramadan fast.

In the statement personally signed by him, Sheikh Akeugberu urged Muslims in Oyo Land to await the official announcement on moon sighting by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, before beginning the Ramadan fasting.

“The general public is hereby notified to await the official announcement from His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, regarding the commencement of the Ramadan fasting,” the statement read.

Oyo Muslims Reaffirm Loyalty to Sultan on Islamic Matters — Grand Chief Imam