Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe was a colossus who walked through the business landscape with his footprints boldly planted on the sand. He was primarily and professionally a pharmacist. But, by the time he bade the world bye on September 22, 2025, at age 97, he had made his mark in many sectors of the economy.

Starting as a pharmacist at Central Hospital, Lagos, in 1950, and establishing his own pharmacy store, Palm Chemists, in 1952, he never looked back in leading the pack of indigenous pharmacists.

He was the pioneer chairman of Spectrum Books, a publishing firm, a director of Barclays Bank, chairman of Procter and Gamble, an international pharmaceutical company and West African Portland Cement.

He was equally involved in birthing the IBTC, Chartered Bank, R.T Briscoe and Nigerian Tobacco Company (NTC), among many others. He did not stop at that, he was also involved in the Nigerian Union of Pharmacists where he was the general secretary in the 1950s, and later the fourth President of the Pharmacists Society of Nigeria (PSN).

Nigeria was lucky to have had a man like Chief Akinkugbe, acclaimed as a man of integrity who was committed to national development as President Bola Tinubu said in his eulogy at his death. Although he was a self-effacing man, he still got involved in public service as he served on the economic advisory board of his state, Ondo, and at the federal level, where he demonstrated his patriotism.

The greatest legacy that the boardroom guru gave to Nigeria was his uncompromising commitment to business ethics. This is one thing missing in the private and public sectors of the country.

Most people are out to fleece the country, contending that they are merely taking their share of the national cake. At a time that we are reviewing the contribution of the late Chief Akinkugbe to national development, young Nigerians have to look into his impeccable works as chairman of the University of Ife (later Obafemi Awolowo University) and the Morgan Wages Commission.

To shape Corporate Nigeria, he made his mark in the Ibadan Chamber of Commerce, and as Vice President of the National Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

He was also one of those who thought it wise to bequeath the Lagos Business School to the nation to ensure that the model of modern business is firmly planted in the country.

Chief Akinkugbe was lucky to have received the gift of long life, which he fully used to the good of Nigeria. He believed in the institution of the family, and showed good example by his marriage to Janet Akinkugbe that yielded children they were proud of.

The couple was united for seven decades and, when his wife died on September 11, just 11 days before him, Chief Akinkugbe said, ‘Janet has been my partner in everything; whatever I achieved, I achieved because she stood beside me’. This is one other example he showed to the younger generations.

Other pioneers in the corporate world now have a duty to guide those currently flying the flag. If Nigeria is to soar high, it will be because the private sector fully aligns with the public service. Time is running out as there are a few Akinkugbes to guide the young ones.

Chief Olu Akinkugbe, born in Ondo, Ondo State, on December 5, 1928, had played his part. Truly, it could be said that he came, he saw, and conquered. He was certainly a man of many parts.

Three suits challenging the declaration of emergency rule, the suspension of elected officials and activities of the appointed administrator in Rivers State were yesterday dismissed by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice James Omotosho, in three decisions held that, not only were the cases filed in a wrong court – the Federal High Court – which lacked the necessary justification, the plaintiffs were without the requisite locus standi (the right to approach the court on the issues raised).

The first suit was filed by Belema Briggs, Princess Wai-Ogosu, I. Acho, Emmanuel Mark and Hadassa Ada, who claimed to have sued for themselves and residents of Rivers State.

They listed the President , the Attorney General of the Federation, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retired) and the Nigerian Navy as defendants.

The plaintiffs queried the emergency declaration, the suspension of elected officials including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the appointment of an administrator and among others, prayed the court to void them.

In the judgment yesterday, Justice Omotosho upheld the preliminary objection raised by the defendants and dismissed the suit.

In holding that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi, Justice Omotosho held that they could not, on their own file a suit to address the interest of all the residents of a state, moreso when none of the suspended officials was made a party to the suit.

The judge found that the plaintiffs, who claimed to be residents of Rivers did not show that they were more affected by the decision than the elected officials, who were suspended or other residents of the state, nor obtained the permission of the state’s Attorney General before approaching the court.

In holding that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit, Justice Omotosho held that it was the law that issues arising or connected with a declaration of state of emergency is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court by virtue of Section 1 (1) and (2) of the Emergency Powers (Jurisdiction) Act, 1962.

He added that the same statute has been modified by the Emergency Powers (Jurisdiction) Act (Modification) Order, 2025.

The judge faulted the plaintiffs’ claim that, as voters, their fundamental rights to enjoy democratic government was taken away from them by the emergency declaration, which they argued amounted to coup against Rivers’ residents.

He said: ‘The plaintiffs’ claim that their fundamental rights were breached as a result of these actions holds no water, as Section 45 (1) of the Constitution permits the derogation of rights in the interest of public order and public safety.

‘The facts before the court all show that Rivers State was on the brink of anarchy, and allowing matters to flow in the normal course was only going to lead to severe breakdown of law and order.

‘Consequently, it was necessary that in the interest of public safety and public order that the President suspended the Governor, Deputy Governor and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and also appoint the 3rd defendant, who is a retired Naval officer to ensure peace in the state,’ he said.

Justice Omotosho also faulted the plaintiffs’ contention that conditions precedent to warrant a declaration of state of emergency were not available as at March 18 when the proclamation was made.

He said: ‘To begin this discourse, it is important to examine if the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has powers to declare a state of emergency in any state in Nigeria as this is the starting point for the suspension of the Governor, the Deputy Governor and the members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State.

‘The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the custodian of executive powers in Nigeria. He is vested with enormous powers to discharge his duties including the duty to ensure the safety of lives and properties within the country.

‘One of the distinct powers of the President is the power to proclaim a state of emergency in Nigeria, throughout the federation or in a part of the Federation.

‘This power is enshrined in Section 305 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

‘A state of emergency is usually not a planned event and it is not an event which the law can fully capture as there are several instances which may necessitate the declaration of a state of emergency, such as natural disaster, religious crisis or a political crisis among others.

‘An imminent threat or present danger to the Federation of Nigeria or a part of it is a ground for declaring a state of emergency as done in this case.

‘Once the proclamation of the state of emergency is ratified by the National Assembly, the power to administer the emergency area vests exclusively in the President.

‘He (the President) is then empowered to take measures to restore peace and order to the affected area, including the appointment of the 3rd defendant as Sole Administrator and stationing of the 4th defendant in strategic locations in the state as the case may be.

‘The findings of this court, with regards to the facts before it, shows that there were reasonable grounds for the President to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.

‘The Governor, Deputy Governor and Members of the House of Assembly were suspended for a period of time and not removed from office and the President exercised his discretion in appointing a Sole Administrator as he saw fit.

‘All these actions were aimed at ensuring peace and security in the state.

‘The issue raised by the plaintiffs that the President did not secure the required two third majority of the members of each house of the National Assembly is not what can be resolved through affidavit evidence, but by a writ of summons where witnesses will be called and cross examined,’ the judge said.

The two other decisions were rulings on the suits filed by two groups. One was by The Incorporated Trustees of Rivsbridge Peace Initiative.

It had six defendants – the President, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Accountant General of the Federation (AG-F), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired).

The suit had queried Ibas’ appointment and sought to among others, restrain the President, the AGF and the AG-F from releasing from belonging to Rivers State in the Consolidated Revenue Funds to Ibas.

The second suit filed by Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative and Courage Nsirimovu had Ibas as the sole defendant.

The suit which also queried the legitimacy of Ibas’ appointment, prayed the court to, among others, restrain the administrator from appointing sole administrators for the state’s 23 local government areas.

In the two rulings, Justice Omotosho upheld the objection raised by lawyers to the defendants, including Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), who represented Ibas and dismissed the suits on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction and want of locus standi.

The judge expressed displeasure at the conduct of lawyers to the plaintiffs’, who he noted, failed to conduct adequate research before filing the suits.

Justice Omotosho said: ‘I must not fail to say here that counsel to the plaintiffs ought to make proper research regarding his case before filing same.

‘He must make diligent research as to which court has jurisdiction and the necessary parties in that suit before filing his action.

‘Counsel has the duty to be professional in making such research rather than spending time spreading misinformation or painting the wrong picture on social media and other broadcast media.

‘This court is saddled with a lot of cases including commercial, civil and criminal matters, which makes its time very precious.

‘Filing suits which are void ab initio is inimical to the course of justice and the court can suo motu non suit such void suit in order to save its time.

‘| therefore hold that a void process cannot activate the jurisdiction of this court.

‘In final analysis, the suit of the plaintiffs is outside the subject matter jurisdiction of this court, the plaintiffs themselves lack locus standi to maintain this action.

‘Even if this court could exercise jurisdiction over this matter, the weight of evidence tilts heavily in favour of the defendants.

‘Consequently, this suit is hereby dismissed in its entirety,’ the judge said.

The Federal Government has promised to complete the ongoing Abuja-Keffi road rehabilitation by December 2026.

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, gave the assurance while inspecting the Maraba-Nyanyan section site yesterday.

He said the project, which started in December 2023, spans 43.6 kilometres from the Keffi-bound section, with 41 kilometres completed up to Binda, representing 50 per cent progress.

The project, being executed by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme and funded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), was awarded on April 19, 2023, started on December 20, 2023, and was initially scheduled for completion in May 2026.

Goronyo described the Abuja-Keffi dual carriageway as one of the busiest routes into the Federal Capital Territory FCT), as it serves thousands of commuters daily.

The minister noted that the major challenge facing the project is the Abuja-bound section, particularly a three-kilometre stretch of the road that is prone to flooding.

‘A lot of people coming from the Keffi-Nyanya axis experience serious difficulty crossing into Abuja city. We immediately directed the contractor to put in palliative measures and create a route to ease movement,’ he said.

According to him, work on the section will be carried out mainly at night to reduce traffic disruptions.

‘The contractor must fully mobilise to site. We are not happy with the suffering commuters face daily on this arterial road. It is a key corridor for civil servants and residents, and people must have ease of movement,’ Goronyo said.

The minister, who was accompanied by ministry officials and representatives of the contracting firm, said the government would ensure strict monitoring of the project to guarantee its timely completion.

‘We don’t want to see this problem persist. The contractor must finish within the stipulated period,’ Goronyo added.

The Project Manager of China Harbour Engineering Company, the contractor handling the project, Dong Hong, assured the minister that the firm remained committed to meeting the deadline.

‘We have the confidence to finish this project on time with the highest quality. Much of the work is now being done at night to meet the schedule,’ he said.

Lagos State Government has unveiled activities for the 2025 Public Service Week, restating its commitment to harnessing technology to build a smarter, more agile and globally-competitive workforce.

Speaking yesterday at a news briefing at the Public Service Office, Alausa, Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Bode Agoro, said the celebration would appreciate workers’ contributions and underline the administration’s focus on digital transformation.

He added: ‘The event is projected to appreciate and celebrate our ever-dedicated and committed public servants for their contributions and efforts towards the attainment of good governance and efficient service delivery.’

Agoro said the theme of the week, ‘Deepening Technology for a Smart and Agile Public Service’, reflected the determination of the government to deploy technology as a tool for transparency, efficiency and citizen engagement.

He hailed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for leading a digital transformation agenda that had prioritised investments in infrastructure and capacity development.

The week-long celebration will begin today with health screening for civil servants at Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa and a special Jumat Service at Alausa Secretariat Mosque.

A Walk-for-Fitness will take place tomorrow in Ikeja, while an interdenominational thanksgiving service will follow at Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, on Sunday.

On October 6, donations from ministries, organisations and individuals will be presented to orphanages and charity homes, alongside continued health screenings for public servants.

On October 7, officers who have served Lagos State for over 30 years will be honoured during the Long Service Merit Award Ceremony. There will be public lecture on October 8 on the theme of the celebration, as well as recognition of outstanding officers.

A variety show tagged: ‘Alausa Goes White,’ will hold on October 9, where public servants are expected to appear in white attire, while showcasing their talents at the seventh edition of Alausa’s Got Talent series. The celebration will climax with a luncheon with Governor Sanwo-Olu, during which recipients of the Outstanding Officers Award will have the opportunity to meet the governor.

Agoro praised the dedication of civil servants, describing them as ‘crucial to driving national development and addressing complex challenges confronting the nation.’

The Police Command in Zamfara State has confirmed that suspected gunmen abducted two councillors and an Imam in Tsauni community, Gusau, on Wednesday night.

The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Deputy Superintendent of Police Yazid Abubakar confirmed the incident to reporters via telephone .

He said the councillors, representing Gidan Gona and Tsibiri wards in Maradun local government areas of Zamfara and Imam were taken away by the bandits.

According to him, the victims were abducted in front of their houses in the Tsauni area about 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, shortly after prayers. The News of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Tsauni community is located behind the Federal Road Safety, Zamfara Sector Command headquarters in Gusau.

The community had hosted internally displaced persons affected by armed banditry from various communities.

Abubakar, however, said the command had deployed its men to the area and efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.

The PPRO urged the residents to assist the police with relevant information in good time to curtail such incidents.

Chairman, Maradun Local Government, Sanusi Gamagiwa, corroborated the PPRO’s information via telephone, adding that the suspected bandits had abducted six persons.

‘They later released three persons and left with the two councillors and the Imam of the area.

‘So far, they have yet to contact any of us to know their demands,’ the chairman said.

Popular media personality Daddy Freeze has spoken candidly about the toll his failed marriage took on his life, including a strained relationship with his children that has lasted for years.

Speaking in an interview with media host Chude Jideonwo, Freeze recalled marrying his ex-wife because she was pregnant, admitting that the union was troubled from the start.

‘The marriage broke me. It was two damaged people in a union and when it ended, it cost me jobs, it kept me from my children, and it left me so broken that even the few jobs I got, I could not do them well,’ he said.

He also revealed how financial struggles worsened the situation. ‘I remember being so broke that I could not even afford N10,000 to buy cake for my daughter’s birthday,’ Freeze noted, adding that his children came to view him as ‘the devil.’

Reflecting on the past decade, he described the pain of limited contact with his kids. ‘The last time I saw them, it was just five minutes, supervised,’ he said. ‘Am I a murderer?’

Freeze, however, highlighted a more stable phase in his present marriage, stressing that he has never raised his hand against his wife.

Beyond family, the broadcaster also addressed his views on religion, faith and prosperity preaching, reiterating controversial positions he has often taken about Christianity.

Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has hailed the exploits of Jagz Hotels in the hospitality industry, describing its huge investment as a game changer for tourism and economic growth.

Speaking at a hospitality conference organised by the Jagz Hotels to mark its first anniversary in Ibadan, the Governor said the exploits of the hotel reflect the positive impacts of his administration’s business-friendly policies, which has continued to attract both local and foreign investors.

Makinde noted that the giant strides of Jagz Hotels in the hospitality industry aligned with his administration’s broader plan to expand the Oyo state’s economy through tourism development.

He said that his administration recently broke a 43-year-old jinx at the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, when a wide-bodied aircraft successfully landed on the newly upgraded runway for the first time since its commissioning.

According to Makinde, the development would further open Oyo state to more tourists and investors who can enjoy world-class hospitality services provided by Jagz Hotels and other establishment.

He commended Chairman/CEO of Jagz Hotels, Engr. Kayode Adegbulugbe, for injecting over N10 billion into the state’s economy, saying that such confidence in government policies shows that Oyo is becoming a hub of investment.

He said; ‘I am glad to be here one year after we inaugurated this business. The business has not folded up; instead, it is waxing stronger. That does not happen by accident. it is the result of hard work and dedication from the management, staff, and even patrons of this hotel.

‘Since the past one year, the economic environment has been very challenging, yet this hotel is still standing tall. That shows you have built a formidable team. As a government, I assure you that whatever you need to keep succeeding, please ask, and we will oblige,’ the governor added.

The Managing Director of Jagz Hotels, Mr. Gbenga Lugard Agbomoagan, lauded Governor Makinde-led administration for creating a partnership framework that supports private businesses.

Agbomoagan, who presented Makinde an award of excellence for promoting an enabling business environment, said that the government through its policies had given the Jagz Hotels the confidence to commit huge resources into its Ibadan project.

The Managing Director noted that the experience had been more rewarding compared to other locations where the company has operations.

Highlighting the company’s impact in just one year of operation, Agbomoagan disclosed that Jagz Hotel, Ibadan had lifted more than 150 unemployed youths out of poverty through empowerment and employment opportunities.

He noted the hotel employs no fewer than 159 people, with 137 of them drawn from Oyo State, adding that these figures represent more than statistics, as it would has a multiplier effect on society by reducing poverty as well as fostering economic stability.

He assured that the company would not relent in its mission, pledging that Jagz Hotels would continue to provide world-class hospitality services in Ibadan while expanding opportunities for youths in Oyo State.

Oyo Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, also commended the management of Jagz Hotels, noting that the growth of the hospitality sector in Ibadan reflects the success of the Makinde administration’s investment-friendly climate.

In their contribution, a Professor of Hotel Management and Tourism, Prof. Wasiu Babalola, and the Head of Department, Wildlife and Ecotourism, University of Ibadan, Prof. Samson Ojo, lauded Jagz Hotels for redefining hospitality business in Oyo State.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Saturday, October 4, travel to Jos, Plateau State, to attend the funeral prayers of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nantewe Yilwatda Goshwe.

According to a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will also use the occasion to engage with religious leaders across the North at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Lagos on Saturday, October 4, for Jos, Plateau State capital, to attend the funeral prayers in honour of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the APC National Chairman, Professor Nantewe Yilwatda Goshwe.

‘The President will later address Church Leaders across the North at the headquarters of the COCIN Church in Jos,’ the statement reads..

Tinubu is scheduled to return to Lagos later on the same day after the engagements in Jos.

A petrol tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) overturned and went up in flames along the Abeokuta-Sagamu expressway, destroying three vehicles, including a truck and a towing van parked by the roadside.

The incident, which occurred around 1 a.m. on Friday at the PMB expressway corridor of the Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun-Sagamu interchange, also damaged a solar power light panel and an electricity cable supplying Mowe town and its environs.

Fire service operatives from Nestlé, Ogun State Fire Service, FRSC, police, NSCDC, TRACE, and Amotekun were deployed to battle the blaze, carry out rescue operations, and redirect traffic.

TRACE spokesperson Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the accident, said casualty details were not yet available as operations were ongoing. He attributed the crash to excessive speeding.

He said, ‘The case of an inferno caused by a 33,000 fuel-laden tanker which fell on its side, dispensing its content in the wee hours of today, around 0100hrs (1 am), Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun-Sagam/Interchange stretch of the PMB Expressway due to excessive speed and loss of control has been reported.

‘The effect of the unfortunate incident also extended to the burning of a truck and a tow vehicle along the roadside, as well as the destruction of a solar power light panel and a PHCN cable supplying electricity to Mowe and environs.

‘Though the casualty figures cannot be ascertained presently, rescue/emergency services made up of TRACE, Ogun State and Nestle PLC Fire Service, FRSC, and the Police are still on the ground to restore normalcy and orderliness after quenching the fire and decantation process.’

The European Union Electoral Observer Mission on Friday called for a timely electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The EU team, which is in Nigeria on a follow-up mission, said this was necessary to ensure voter confidence in the country’s electoral process.

The head of the follow-up EU Electoral Observer Mission, Barry Andrews, said the country needed to speed up the reforms, noting that only one out of the 23 recommendations to the Independent National Electoral Commission has been fully implemented.

The EFM found that while two recommendations have been partially implemented, eight are ongoing, three are too early to determine, and nine have not been implemented.

Andrews, who commended the legislature for the amendment so far in the Electoral Act 2025 and the ongoing constitutional review process, pointed out that time is running out.

He also stressed that the country’s resilience depends on reforms that citizens can believe in.

Andrews said, ‘So, the electoral observation mission final report in 2023 made 23 recommendations. 11 require legal changes and 12 are administrative in nature.

‘The mission has identified so far that one recommendation has been fully implemented. Two recommendations have been partially implemented.

Eight are ongoing. Nine are not yet implemented. And in the case of three recommendations, it is too early to determine.’

Andrew also called for political will to implement all the recommendations for the country to avoid falling behind.

‘So, our evaluation indicates that progress in implementing the recommendations has been modest, thus far, and is in serious danger of falling to critically low levels. Avoiding this outcome will require both political will from legislators and urgent coordinated administrative actions by relevant institutions. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the majority of these recommendations are still classified as ongoing.

‘What we find especially important is the strong alignment we see between the recommendations of INEC, civil society through the citizens’ memorandum, and those of the EU election observers at the EU election observation mission. Each of these three processes was conducted independently, and yet they point in the same direction. Of course, there are some differences, but the convergence is striking.

‘All three call for greater transparency for stronger accountability for electoral offences, for inclusive representation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, and for reform that would give INEC the clarity and independence that it needs. This is a powerful signal, we believe, because it shows that Nigerians themselves in institutions and in civil society are calling for the same changes that international observers have highlighted. It shows that there is a broad and shared understanding of what needs to be done to strengthen future elections.’

He stressed, ‘What is now needed is the political will to act on this consensus so that these reforms can be adopted in good time and fully implemented. Since the 2023 elections, important work has been undertaken. The Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025 and the constitutional review are ongoing, as you know, and both incorporate many of our recommendations.

‘However, it is clear that the clock is ticking. A particularly positive development has been the constructive cooperation between civil society and the legislature. Civil society organisations have contributed expertise and advocacy, and Parliament has created space for that consultation and engagement.

‘We are encouraged by this constructive cooperation between civil society and members of the legislature, particularly in shaping proposals for a stronger legal framework. However, while we welcome this legislative momentum, time is rapidly running out. Unless these reforms are fast-tracked and concluded soon, there is a real risk of repeating the serious shortcomings of 2023.

‘Political will, more than technical drafting, will determine whether these reforms succeed. We can’t emphasise enough that the country’s democratic strength depends on reforms that citizens can believe in, and we encourage all political actors to seize the current momentum, to deliver reforms that can safeguard transparency, inclusiveness, and credibility in the 2027 elections.’

He listed the six priority recommendations to include ‘The first priority concerns INEC. Public confidence in the Commission has remained low.

‘A new chairperson will be appointed later this year, and the way this appointment is handled with shape public perception of the institution at a critical time. A transparent, non-partisan, and merit-based appointment process will strengthen INEC as an institution and give citizens greater confidence that the Commission will improve its professionalism, neutrality, and independence. This moment offers a real opportunity for a powerful signal of commitment to a credible electoral process.

‘So I’d like to stress that this recommendation does not require a legal amendment; therefore, the process of appointing the new INEC chairperson could be made more inclusive and transparent by, for example, publishing the names of prospective candidates and inviting civil society organisations, professional bodies, and opposition to provide input. In this way, all electoral stakeholders could be involved. The second priority is transparency in the results process.

‘We all saw in 2023 how quickly confidence can be eroded when polling unit results are missing, uploaded with poor quality, or collation appears disorganised. These deficiencies created doubts that overshadowed the entire process. The 2025 Electoral Act Bill now introduces mandatory electronic transmission of results, alongside manual transmission.

This is a welcome legal clarity and an important step forward. But legislation alone is not enough. Citizens need to see the results themselves. That means the real-time publication of polling unit and collation centre results. Citizens must be able to compare both paper protocols and electronic records to follow and verify the process step by step. Such openness can rebuild confidence.

‘It can also send a very powerful signal of commitment to credible elections in the future. ‘The third priority is ensuring that women are better represented in elected institutions. At present, unfortunately, Nigeria is one of the lowest levels of women’s representation in the world, just over 4% in the National Assembly, which is not reflective of the strength, ability, and leadership that Nigerian women offer in public life.

‘We therefore welcome the reserved seats bill and the current public debate. If passed, it would represent a significant step forward toward a more inclusive political process, ensuring that decision-making bodies better reflect the country’s diversity. International experience shows that when women are present in greater numbers, democratic institutions benefit from broader perspectives, stronger accountability, and more responsive policy-making.

We hope this debate will move forward constructively and that progress will be made on this important issue. ‘Fourth priority, thank you for your patience, is accountability for electoral offences. Stakeholders across the spectrum told us that impunity for offences remains widespread.

Violence, intimidation, vote buying, and misuse of state resources are problems that have persisted for too long. Some steps have been taken; INEC has entered into cooperation agreements with the Nigeria Bar Association and anti-corruption agencies. These are welcome, but they are not enough.

‘Prosecutions remain very low, and justice delayed is just as denied. Establishing an independent electoral offences commission as envisaged in some of the constitutional proposals would be a major step forward and a clear signal that those who break the law cannot act with impunity, and that elections are not a contest without rules but a contest governed by law. Even if such a commission is not established, closer cooperation between INEC, EFCC, the police, and the judiciary would go a long way to addressing impunity.

‘The fifth priority is to remove ambiguities and inconsistencies in the legal framework. The constitutional review and the electoral bill will address many of these issues and do address these issues, and once again, we have seen constructive cooperation between Parliament and civil society, but timing is everything. INEC cannot operate on shifting ground; it needs a clear and stable legal framework well in advance of the elections, not only to draft its own regulations, but also to plan voter education to secure the necessary budget, which must be requested a year in advance.

‘If reforms are adopted too late, they risk causing uncertainty or even becoming impossible to implement. Complementing this work, sorry, completing this work soon would give INEC the clarity it needs and give all stakeholders the confidence to prepare properly for 2027. ‘Finally, our sixth priority is safeguarding freedom of expression and protecting the media.

‘Journalists are essential to any democracy; they inform voters, hold institutions accountable, and keep public debate alive. Yet we continue to hear troubling reports of harassment, threats, and even violence against media practitioners and journalists. Despite a federal court ruling recognising the state’s duty to act, no comprehensive framework to protect media professionals has yet been created.

‘What is needed is a credible system to investigate and prosecute attacks swiftly and effectively. That would show that freedom of expression is not only guaranteed on paper but also upheld in practice. Without a free and safe media, citizens cannot make informed choices, and democracy itself is weakened.

‘Protecting journalists is therefore not just about individual rights but safeguarding the health of Nigeria’s democracy.’

The Chief of Mission underlined two key issues for restoring confidence in the electoral process:

‘Public confidence in INEC remains low, despite efforts made and progress achieved. In this context, a merit-based and non-partisan appointment process of its new Chairperson would send a powerful signal of commitment to credible elections. Another important step in this direction would be a robust system for real-time publication of polling unit and collation results, allowing citizens to verify both paper and electronic records.’