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A joint public hearing on an amendment to the Electoral Act 2025 by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters is expected to be held today.

The Nation gathered from a source in the National Assembly’s Clerk’s office at the weekend that the hearing will be held in the Senate wing.

The source, who admitted that the Senate and the House have different versions of the bill.

Some of the proposals in the bill are early voting by inmates, replacement of legislators who resigned or died before the expiration of their tenure and conduct of elections in a single day.

The bill also seeks a reduction in the length of electoral litigations from 180 days to 150 days, while restricting applications for review of election results to INEC staff alone. It also wants to stop the processes of replacing elected officials with those they defeated at the party primary after inauguration.

Besides, the bill recommends the disqualification of parties that field unqualified candidates or present false documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from contesting the affected election. It recommends a N10 million fine on any party that fields an unqualified candidate.

It also proposes the disqualification of a candidate and an imposition of a fine of N5 million on him/ her for false documents .

A scrutiny of the two versions of the bill showed that while the House version has provisions for early voting for a certain category of Nigerians and a new method of replacing elected lawmakers who either died or resigned, or became incapacitated, that in the Senate version does not.

While that of the House also proposes that parties which sponsored a lawmaker who died or resigned should produce his/her replacement, the bill in the Senate is silent on it.

The proposed law in both chambers is silent on the use of Permanent Voter Cards for accreditation during elections. But it states that ‘a person intending to vote in an election shall present himself to a Presiding Officer for accreditation at the polling unit in the constituency in which his name is registered, and shall provide any of ‘(a) an electronically generated voter identification, including a downloadable voter’ card with a unique QR code; or (b) any other form of identification as may be prescribed in section 10.”

The bill in both chambers makes it mandatory for funds meant for the conduct of the general election to be released to INEC in full not later than one year before the election as against the old practice of releasing them in tranches.

Also, the proposed amendment seeks to restrict election expenses by individuals and parties.

A presidential candidate is not expected to spend more than N10 billion (increased from N5 billion) and a governorship candidate N3 billion (an increase from N1 billion in the 2022 electoral Act.)

Those seeking election into the Senate, House of Representatives, state Houses of Assembly, chairmanship and councillorship elections are restricted to election expenses of N500 million, N250 million, N30 million(chairmanship inclusive) and N10 million, respectively.

It also states that ‘no individual or other entity shall donate to a candidate more than N500 million’ for the election.

The new bill also seeks to amend provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act to provide for the disqualification by the court of a candidate who provides false information in the process of filing his nomination paper, as well as his political party that failed to do due diligence on the candidate.

Besides, the bill provides that where a candidate who contested a party primary has reasonable grounds to believe that the information given by his political party or documents submitted are false, he should be free to file a suit at the Federal High Court

It also recommends that a candidate who does not meet the qualification stipulated in the law and presents himself to his political party shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than N5 million and his party, N10 million.

The bill is, however, silent on the electronic transmission of election results.

Apparently, to reduce the proliferation of political parties, the bill imposes an administrative fees of N50 million on associations intending registered as political parties.

The 2022 Electoral Act did not impose specific amount on associations, but said that ‘an application letter for registration as a politicy party shall not be processed unless there is evidence of payment of administrative fee as may be fixed by the commission’.

The proposed law also provides that ‘a political appointee at any level shall not be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of his party for the nomination of candidates for any election.’

On pre-election matters, the proposed law said ‘a court in every pre-election matter shall deliver its judgment in writing within 90 days from the date of filing the suit.

It also suggests that: ”An appeal from a decision in a pre-election matter shall be filed within 14 days from the date of delivery of the judgment appealed against.

” An appeal from a decision of a court in a pre-election matter shall be heard and disposed of within 60 days from the date of filing of the appeal.”

It also recommends that ”an election tribunal or court shall not declare any person a winner of an election in which such a person has not fully participated in all stages of the election’.

While also listing ground on which an election can be questioned, the bill states that ‘an election may be questioned on any of the following grounds -(a) the election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices or noncompliance with the provisions of this Act; or (b) the respondent was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election.’

It, however, said that ‘an act or omission which may be contrary to an instruction or directive of the commission(INEC) or of an officer appointed for the election but which is not contrary to the provisions of this bill shall not of itself be a ground for questioning the election.’

The check frivolous election suits, bill states that ‘where the court determines that an election is being questioned by a political party or candidate on the grounds outside of those provided for under subsection (1), the court shall impose penalties of not less than N5,000,000 on the counsel and not less than N10,000,000 on the petitioner.’

*Kalu: governors, states Assembly’s support crucial to constitution review

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has said the National Assembly needs the support of governors and state assemblies to carry out a successful review of the 1999 Constitution.

He made this known when he led members of the House Committee on Constitution Review on a visit to Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah,

Kalu said: ‘If the governors are not in support, we will be running in circles. But with progressively minded governors like you, I am sure you will speak to your colleagues to keep backing us up, for them to know that we need them and for them to partner with us.

‘The Conference of Speakers has shown interest, and the chairman participated in one way or the other. He has been giving us support,t but we should not end our relationship only in engaging with them. We need you who are the major stakeholders help us push this through.

‘Please, help us thank your brother governors for supporting the initiative of the Constitution review. The Governors Forum has, in one way or another, shown us support.

‘Also, please, let them know that without them, we cannot make this Constitution. It is not possible because the Houses of Assembly will need to go through this document. We will not coerce the Houses of Assembly. But we know you can liaise with them to help get this document back to us as quickly as possible.”

Governor Mbah commended the committee, saying, ”You have come out to demonstrate such commitment in this process, and I think for the first time, we are now taking it. ”

Federal Government has distributed over 1,000 Interactive Smart Boards, with accompanying teacher training, under the Digitalisation of Public Schools Initiative, a partnership between Universal Basic Education Commission and State Universal Basic Education Boards.

During the initiative’s launch at Queens College, Yaba, Education Minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the initiative is to ensure that every child access quality and technology-compliant education.

‘Education must evolve with the world of work, innovation, and national competitiveness. That is why we are embedding AI, EdTech, and digital literacy in curricula to ensure our youths are equipped with skills in STEMM, data, and coding for the future.

‘The shift from chalkboards to smart boards signifies a transition from traditional, one-directional learning methods to dynamic, interactive, technology-enabled active learning. This allows for interactive classrooms where pupils learn by engaging, exploring, and creating.

‘These smart boards will enable teachers to integrate multimedia, digital textbooks, and real-time interaction into their lessons. Learners will engage through touch, exploration, and participation, not just listening,’ he said.

Alausa thanked the government for its leadership in educational digital innovation, while praising UBEC and SUBEB for championing the initiative.

UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Mrs Aisha Garba, underscored the imperative of digital technology for effective teaching and learning.

She said the initiative was a demonstration of its commitment to bringing technology into the classroom, adding the boards will transform traditional education into dynamic, and participatory learning experiences.

‘Teachers will now be able to integrate multimedia content, simulations, and real-time feedback during lessons. Students can engage more actively by touching, responding, and participating, making learning memorable. This approach turns education from a mere process of instruction into an experience of discovery.

‘With digital tools like smart boards, tablets, and online content, we can ensure that learners in every part of Nigeria-from Lagos to Sokoto, and from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri-have access to quality learning opportunities that meet global standards,’ she said.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has said threats and blackmail from some quarters will not distract him or derail the transformative agenda of the Federal Government in the mining sector.

He emphasised that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remained committed to the ongoing reforms in the sector.

The minister said the reforms were already yielding results.

Alake said this while addressing reporters at the weekend ahead of the 10th Nigeria Mining Week, which begins today.

The minister said the reforms were yielding fruits as various indices, including those of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), were pointers to this development.

He said: ‘Ten years ago, the contribution of mining to our nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) was less than 0.5 per cent. But today, it has increased to 1.8 per cent with figures from the NBS indicating an unprecedented 4.61 per cent in Q2 of 2025. In practical terms, this means more mines in operation, more companies investing and more communities being impacted by mining activity.’

Reflecting on the evolution of the sector, Alake said the Nigeria Mining Week has mirrored the industry’s shift from informality to a structured, innovation-driven, and investor-attractive environment.

The minister stressed that the reforms focus on transparency, investment risk mitigation, and value chain optimisation.

According to him, efforts to strengthen regulatory frameworks have faced a backlash, including threats to his life.

Alake expressed his unflinching resolve to follow through the rigours of the reforms, stating that no amount of intimidation, sponsored articles by unpatriotic hack writers, or a campaign of calumny would blur his vision of repositioning the mining sector.

He said: ‘The mining sector was hitherto an all-comers’ affair where operators got away with flagrant abuse of regulations. When we came in, we made efforts to correct this anomaly, and those affected have been employing all forms of tactics, including threats and blackmail, to force us to reverse course.

‘I want to assure Nigerians that our resolve is unflinching. We are going ahead to enforce strictly all regulations, no matter whose ox is gored.’

Alake cited the revocation of mining licences, reiterating that it is an ongoing process and emphasising that the era in which people defaulted in the payment of annual service fees or held in licences for over 10 years without using them or commencing any form of operation is gone with the wind.

The minister explained that the ‘Use it or Lose it’ clause in the Mining Act would be strictly enforced to pave the way for serious investors to develop the sector.

‘Our desire for a very conducive operating environment should not indulge those who are in constant default of the regulations. We won’t tolerate that. I have had to triple my personal security, following threats received from some of those whose licences were revoked, but I am undaunted.

‘Our confidence is hinged on the fact that we are waging the battle based on principle, for the sake of our country,’ Alake added.

The minister also hinted at the establishment of a new pre-shipment agency for solid minerals.

He affirmed that the installation of satellite surveillance of mining sites was also underway alongside plans to double the personnel of the mining marshals.

This, Alake explained, is aimed at ensuring that the mobile squad has an active presence in all local governments in the country and is fully equipped to curtail illegal mining.

The minister urged all stakeholders, industry players and investors to join in making the mining week a resounding success asserting that it promises to be a platform for networking, consolidating on progress made, attracting responsible investments and ensuring that the mining sector contributes substantially to Nigeria’s industrialisation.

Seasoned actress Bukky Wright has received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the upcoming Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) 2025.

This nomination marks a significant milestone in Wright’s comeback journey after a long hiatus.

The actress, on Instagram, expressed gratitude to everyone who supported her return to Nollywood, saying their love and encouragement mean the world to her.

She wrote: ‘We’re back! My heart is so full.

After some time away from the screen, stepping back into storytelling feels like rediscovering a piece of myself I truly missed. To be nominated as Best Supporting Actress for this film is beyond humbling.

‘To everyone who believed in me, supported me, and welcomed me back with so much love – thank you from the depths of my heart. Your support means more than words can say’.

Wright also congratulated Nora Awolowo on her nomination-worthy project, ‘Red Circle’, and thanked her for choosing her for the role.

‘I also want to say Congratulations, @noraawolowo. You deserve your flowers for the effort and hard work you put into it! Thank you for choosing me.

‘This is for every dream that took a pause but never died’, she added.

The actress’s return to Nollywood has been widely celebrated, with fans and colleagues alike praising her versatility, elegance, and enduring talent.

The AMAA 2025 ceremony promises to be an exciting event, with talented actors and filmmakers from across Africa in attendance.

Grange School surged ahead in the opening leg of Season 7 of the Dolphin Swimming League, held over the weekend in Lagos, amassing an impressive 355 points to top the leader board.

In the elementary division of Nigeria’s premier inter-school swimming championship, Children International School (CIS) followed closely with 254.5 points, while British International School (BIS) secured third place with 163 points.

A total of 19 schools and clubs participated in the first leg of the elementary category, hosted by Grange School. The race for the top spot continues on November 1, when CIS will host the second leg of the competition.

Speaking on the league’s impact, Technical Director of the Nigeria Aquatic Federation, Samuel Jesimiel, praised the Dolphin Swimming League for nurturing top-tier talent. ‘At the last two editions of the National Youth Games, we witnessed incredible performances, many of the standout swimmers came from this league. I’m grateful to see the seventh season completed successfully,’ he said.

Jesimiel also highlighted the league’s growth: ‘We started with just seven schools, and now participation has doubled. That’s why we’ve split the league into elementary and secondary divisions. The entries are high, but we’re equipped to manage it, and I commend the organizers for their role in developing this sport.’

Former President of the Nigeria Aquatic Federation, Babatunde Fatayi-Williams, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the league’s transformative role in junior swimming. ‘The Dolphin Swimming League is an outstanding initiative, which is why I’ve supported it from the start. The results speak volumes, Lagos State claimed 19 out of 25 gold medals at the last National Youth Games. To sustain this success, we need more corporate backing,’ he said.

Fatayi-Williams also advocated for expansion: ‘This league could be replicated in other cities like Abuja and Port Harcourt to raise the standard of junior swimming nationwide. Swimming is a sport that must be nurtured early, catching them young in primary and secondary school is the key.’

Ahead of tomorrow’s big battle for Group C’s lone automatic ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in North America, the Super Eagles and visiting The Cheetahs of Benin, will have their official training at the main pitch of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo today.

The Cheetahs will train first from 5pm while the Super Eagles take their turn at 6.15pm.

Tuesday’s big battle, between two of the three teams still in contention for Group C’s lone automatic ticket will kick off at 5pm. Simultaneously, the clash between South Africa and Rwanda, which is also of importance to the final outcome of Group C, will commence in Nelspruit.

Nigeria’s delegation to Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho in the South African city of Polokwane safely returned to the country yesterday , landing at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport at 8.05am.

A cracked pilot windscreen forced the chartered ValueJet Airline aircraft conveying the team from Polokwane to return to the Luanda airport, 25 minutes after take-off following a refuelling stop in the Angolan capital on Saturday afternoon.

However, swift action by ValueJet Airline and Federal Government authorities enabled another ValueJet Airline aircraft to take off from Lagos and pick the team in Luanda. The airplane flew for two hours and 20 minutes from Luanda before landing in Uyo.

Players and officials have settled into the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot-Ekpene, and had a training session at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium yesterday.

Group C leaders Cheetahs of Benin Republic, who are Nigeria’s opponents in Tuesday’s showdown, arrived in Uyo on Saturday afternoon and are lodged at the Ibom Icon and Golf Resort. The team trained at the practice pitch of Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Sunday morning.

The United States and Egypt’s top diplomats at the weekend reviewed preparations for a summit in Sharm El-Sheikh that will bring the two countries’ presidents together with other leaders to discuss implementing the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal.

U.S. President Donald Trump and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are expected to lead the summit today, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday discussed arrangements for the gathering, including for ‘international participation in the Sharm El-Sheikh summit, as well as preparations for the implementation of the first phase of the (ceasefire) deal’.

Alongside the U.S. and Qatar, Egypt has played a key role in mediating talks that eventually led to the latest ceasefire deal.

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to travel to Egypt on Monday to back the deal, the Elysee Palace said, while Spain’s Pedro Sanchez and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni are also expected to attend.

Equatorial Guinea have fired coach Juan Micha and kicked out several key players after a strike meant the team failed to travel to Malawi for a World Cup qualifier, with the country now facing possible sanctions from world football body FIFA.

Several regulars, including veteran captain Emilio Nsue, have also been removed from their squad for their last Group H qualifier against Liberia today, officials said.

Key players refused to travel for their penultimate group qualifier last Thursday, citing continual complaints over conditions and money, after which the coach and some players were kicked out of the squad.

Micha’s dismissal was confirmed in a social media post from the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation.

‘The Ministry of Sports has given players called up for these FIFA matches who believe they can continue to defend their country the opportunity to put their names on a list,’ the statement added.’Otherwise, anyone who doesn’t do so will be deemed to have opted out and will no longer be part of the national team.’

A new squad has since been named for today’s match, with Casto Nopo appointed interim coach.

The list excludes many of the players who were in the squad at the last Cup of Nations, where Equatorial Guinea caused a major sensation by beating hosts Ivory Coast 4-0 in the group phase.

The result was hailed as the biggest shock in Cup of Nations history and followed an upset 1-1 draw with Nigeria in their opening fixture of the tournament in early 2024.

Equatorial Guinea finished ahead of the two heavyweights in the group standings but were then eliminated in the last 16 by a last-gasp goal for Guinea.

Since then, Equatorial Guinea have qualified for the upcoming Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, which kicks off on December 21, but are out of contention for a place at next year’s World Cup.

In a significant move toward advancing gender equality, key government figures in Nigeria have pledged their commitment to implementing comprehensive policies to enhance the inclusion of the girl child across various sectors.

This commitment was made at the 6th edition of The Osasu Show(TOS) symposium with the theme ‘Girls Today Leaders Tomorrow: advancing women representation through policy, held at the national assembly library, Abuja, involving notable leaders, including Vice President, Kashim Shettima; Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sa’adu Abubakar; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu among other dignitaries.

The leaders emphasised the urgent need to foster environments where girls can thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of the socio-economic challenges they may face.

They acknowledged that addressing issues such as education, healthcare, and economic empowerment for girls is crucial for the holistic development of the nation.

One of the focal points of their conversations was the proposal to prioritise the allocation of reserved seats for women in both national and state assemblies. This move aims to ensure that women’s voices are adequately represented in the decision-making processes that shape the future of the country.

Speaking at the event, the vice president, represented by his technical adviser on women, youth engagement, and impact, Hauwa Liman, emphasised the administration’s recognition of the vital role women play in nation-building stressing the importance of increased female representation in parliament as a crucial step towards fostering a stronger nation.

The Sultan reflected on the rich history of women’s involvement in politics and education in pre-colonial Nigeria, urging a return to these values amid current challenges.

He encouraged Nigerians to embrace their history and culture as a source of strength and reiterated his support for initiatives that positively impact women.

The sultan called for a united effort towards enhancing girl child education and promoting a positive narrative about Nigeria, emphasising the blessings and potential of the nation.

‘Together, we can strive toward our goals through the National Assembly. Let’s focus on the education of our girls at the highest level and support one another from the president to local leaders and all citizens,’ he concluded.

Kalu highlighted important statistics from UNICEF stating that approximately 189 million girls are householders, emphasising that the girl child embodies possibility rather than mere vulnerability.

The convener of the TOS Symposium, Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche, articulated the pressing need to bridge the gap between elected officials and their constituents while amplifying the voices of vulnerable populations.

She highlighted the concerning underrepresentation of women in parliament, where Nigeria ranks 184th worldwide and last in Africa.

Osasu said: ‘We are here to advocate for the proposal to reserve seats for women in parliament. This initiative is about closing the democracy gap, ensuring justice and representation, and unlocking the nation’s full potential by bringing women into decision-making roles. When women are at the table, nations benefit, and when girls are empowered, societies thrive,’ she remarked.

The people of Eposo community have gathered in unity and celebration as they marked this year’s Eposo Day with a momentous event: the inauguration of a community health centre, donated by Aare Kola Oyefeso, in memory of his late wife, Chief Omolara Oyefeso.

The centre, a much-needed facility in the community, was inaugurated by Sir Kesington Adebutu CFR, a revered statesman and philanthropist, as part of activities commemorating his 90th birthday anniversary, which will be celebrated on October 24. Oyefeso congratulated Eposo people on this year’s celebration and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to honour the legacy of his beloved wife through a project that directly served the needs of the community.

‘This health centre stands not just as a memorial, but also as a beacon of hope and progress for Eposo,’ Oyefeso said.

‘It is my hope that it will serve generations to come, improving access to basic health care and enhancing the well-being of our people.’

The inauguration was one of the highlights of Eposo Day celebration, drawing community leaders, dignitaries and residents together in shared pride and optimism.

Dr. Adebutu praised the initiative and reaffirmed his commitment to community development, especially in rural health and education.

His involvement in the event added significance, as it coincided with his upcoming milestone birthday. The establishment of the centre underscored the critical role of accessible health care in rural communities.

It will provide essential services such as maternal and child health, treatment of common ailments and health education, reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for medical care.

As Eposo continues to grow and evolve, this donation is a reminder of the power of legacy, service and collective progress. The community extends its deepest appreciation to Aare Oyefeso and Sir Adebutu for their support and contribution.