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Opposition and civil society leaders on Wednesday voiced strong doubts about Nigeria’s electoral future, warning that reforms are unlikely under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Speaking at a virtual national electoral reform summit, they resolved to mobilise strategies to prevent what they described as attempts by the ruling party to ‘rig’ its way back to power in 2027.

A former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, said bluntly that no meaningful electoral reform could take place under President Bola Tinubu’s government. He argued that politicians in power were never committed to reform, as it threatened their grip on office.

Amaechi, who served as minister of transportation in the last administration, spoke at the meeting with the theme ‘Critical constitutional amendments for credible elections in 2027.’ He declared, ‘There is absolutely nothing anybody can do about electoral reform in Nigeria in the present government.’

The former governor, drawing from his experience, said politicians consistently resist reform once they win power. ‘Everybody ensures that once he wins, he will not do electoral reform so that he can bring himself back for a second tenure. Then, when he is out of government, he will start shouting for electoral reform. It takes commitment and patriotism to know that votes should count. Politicians will not do that because politics has become a source of revenue, a source of income. Electoral reform would mean you are taking power back to the people, so they can hire and fire.’

Reflecting on the Muhammadu Buhari years, Amaechi said little progress was made despite opportunities. ‘Did we achieve anything when President Buhari was there? There was nothing we did in terms of electoral reform. If those in power at that time had acted, we would not be here today.’

Amaechi also accused some past government officials, now clamouring for reform, of previously working against such measures. ‘The people who served in Buhari’s government and are now crying for electoral reform are the same ones who went to him to convince him not to sign the reform that came from the National Assembly,’ he said.

According to him, some invited guests avoided the virtual summit out of fear of government backlash. ‘There are those who can’t answer the question of what they did when they were in government,’ he added.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, listed as chairman and keynote speaker for the event, were absent.

Turning to the opposition, Amaechi accused many of pursuing personal gain rather than systemic reform. ‘What we have currently in the opposition are people who want to win primaries in their different parties, look for public money, then lose elections and keep the money. That’s my suspicion. I may be wrong, but in APC we knew Buhari would win. So, all of us worked for him. Now, if we want anything to happen, it will be after I emerge as a candidate. Then I would know the type of election I want to run,’ he said.

Amaechi dismissed suggestions that reforms could come through the National Assembly under Senate President Godswill Akpabio. ‘If it’s what people are saying about going to the National Assembly led by Akpabio, I know him too well. He was my colleague. I was his chairman in the Governors’ Forum,’ he said.

‘From Abacha’s writing of results till today, the South-South and South-East are yet to come out of writing results. So, if something has to be done for me, I will wait until I have my primaries,’ he remarked.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, stressed the need for having a proper electoral system that can guarantee free and fair election for the engendering of democracy in the country.

Also speaking, Dr Usman Bugaje, a former presidential aide and public affairs analyst, said reform efforts had failed repeatedly because those in power had no interest in genuine change.

Bugaje described the current administration as unwilling to open the door for credible amendments. ‘This is one regime that has shown they are not even prepared to conduct an election,’ he added.

On her part, former education minister Oby Ezekwesili criticised the judiciary, accusing it of worsening Nigeria’s political crisis. ‘We have to take the war to the gate of the judiciary. It’s like elections are now an industry for the judiciary,’ she said.

She urged reforms in how electoral cases are handled. ‘We need to implement an automated system for assigning electoral cases to judges. It will reduce manipulation and strengthen the process. We must also prevail on the NJC to investigate and discipline judges where necessary and restore public confidence,’ she added.

Nigeria’s former ambassador to Ethiopia, Nkoyo Toyo, noted that while technological innovations had raised hopes in past elections, the 2023 polls reversed much of that progress.

‘What we thought was significant progress hit the rocks, and confidence has fallen. Many people today have very little faith in the process,’ she said.

Toyo called for urgent action before 2027, warning against neglect of critical issues. ‘The appointment of the next INEC chairman is another critical process we cannot ignore. We must not sit back and watch,’ she stressed.

Former presidential candidate Prof Pat Utomi added that no government perceived to lack legitimacy could effectively govern.

The summit ended with a consensus among opposition leaders and civic voices that without urgent reforms, Nigeria risked repeating the failures of the past. Yet, as Amaechi and others warned, the chances of meaningful change under the present administration remain slim.

The police in Ekiti State have arraigned a 42-year-old man, Ajayi Oluwatosin, at the Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti over an alleged sexual assault of a woman.

The prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendant, on or about September 18 at Iworoko-Ekiti, within the Igbemo-Ekiti Magisterial District, did assault one Okuwoga Ibukun without her consent.

Inspector Oriyomi noted that the defendant committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 269(1) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021.

Counsel to the defendant, Barrister O. G. Abiola, urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms, stating he would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Abayomi Adeosun, granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

The case was adjourned until October 23, for hearing.

Suspected hoodlums have reportedly stabbed a commercial cyclist identified as Yahuza to death and dumped his corpse at a river bank in Bako village, Kwali Area Council of the FCT, before escaping with his motorcycle.

A resident of Bako village, Yasmin Abdullahi, said the incident happened on Saturday around 9:43 pm.

The cyclist had picked up two young men from Dagiri, who asked to be taken to the Bako forest area.

Abdullahi said the suspects lured the cyclist by offering him a sum of N4,000 and claiming they were security guards protecting a government building near the forest.

The cyclist’s corpse was discovered by vigilantes who had gone to the forest to dislodge hoodlums who frequently use the location to smoke Indian hemp (cannabis).

‘And you know there is this big bush which links from Gwagwalada to Bako forest where most of these youngsters including hoodlums always go to smoke hemp,’ Abdullahi explained.

He added, ‘So, it was when the vigilantes went to the forest in order to dislodge people that always hang around the forest when the cyclist’s corpse was found close to the river.’

Abdullahi added that the vigilantes alerted security operatives who visited the scene and recovered the body.

The cyclist was later identified as a resident of Unguwar Dodo in Gwagwalada, and his colleagues came to evacuate the corpse to the morgue at Kwali hospital.

A member of the vigilante group, Dantani Ismaila, also confirmed the incident, stating that the hoodlums escaped with the deceased’s motorcycle after stabbing him.

A police source at the Kwali division, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed the incident, saying the police are investigating the matter.

He also lamented the activities of hoodlums who go to the forest to smoke cannabis, adding that the police have consistently raided the place and made arrests.

Gunmen have reportedly abducted two brothers from their cassava farm in the Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The attack, it was gathered, took place on Wednesday at the Bokungi Zambufu community in Lafiagi Emirate.

A vigilante commander, Gina Gana, confirmed the incident on Wednesday night.

He said the assailants, numbering about four, were heavily armed.

According to him, they invaded the farm, shooting sporadically before whisking the brothers away.

‘No contact has been made to demand any ransom, but we later saw the military with two suspects, but we don’t know if they were part of the bandits,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has urged residents, especially in Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Oke Ero, and Irepodun local government areas, to be vigilant and restrict outdoor activities as security forces intensify operations against kidnappers in border towns between Kwara and Kogi states.

The areas have come under a series of attacks lately.

‘The kidnappers are fleeing their hideouts and we don’t want law-abiding citizens to be affected,’ Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said in a statement.

She said the government regrets any inconveniences the restrictions may cause but praised security forces for their renewed efforts to rout the criminals.

He urged them to continue until the gangs are neutralised and flushed out of the forests.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to stop speaking negatively about the country, insisting that Nigeria remains a proud nation with enormous potential.

Speaking on Tuesday evening in Lagos at the official unveiling of the renovated National Theatre, the president stressed the need for citizens to believe in the country and work together towards its progress.

‘Let me take this opportunity to say one thing that is very, very important to me, to you, and my government. Stop talking about Nigeria in a negative tone. This is a country of very proud people, a nation of brave people, confident and dedicated people. Let’s build this together. Let’s recreate it,’ Tinubu said.

The president, who used the occasion to celebrate the nation’s creative and cultural heritage, said Nigeria’s talent base is one of its greatest assets.

He praised Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, whom he described as ‘one of the most talented and creative minds,’ for his contributions to national development and the arts.

Tinubu also reflected on the historical importance of the National Theatre, describing its revival as a symbol of Nigeria’s resilience.

‘This place will not grow relics again. It is not a bad thing for us to use this opportunity to create jobs, to promote maintenance, sensibility, and commitment,’ he said.

The president commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other stakeholders for their support, noting that the theatre would continue to serve as a hub for Africa’s creative industry.

Tinubu reiterated his administration’s optimism about the economy.

‘I am confident, if you manage it properly, prosperity will come. Believe in yourself and give everybody the hope they need. Lift the spirits of our people. This is the giant of Africa. It won’t disintegrate in my hands, in my presence,’ he said.

The Executive Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Mr. Oladele Bankole-Balogun, has disclosed that the agency has generated N79billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in nine months.

Bankole-Balogun disclosed this in Benin during a meeting with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, permanent secretaries and directors.

He noted that leakages by MDAs are challenges to sustainable growth and called for an end to it.

‘EIRS has generated N52.6 billion in the first half of 2025, representing a 46 per cent increase over previous periods. The year has not ended and we have generated N79 billion’ he said.

Bankole-Balogun who described revenue as the ‘lifeline of development, noted that Edo must position itself as a frontrunner in implementing the Treasury Single Account (TSA), and align with the Nigerian Tax Reform Acts set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026..

He said the TSA ensures that all government receipts flow through a transparent, centralized account-eliminating cash handling, reducing leakages, and improving accountability.

He said the state must align internal processes, adopt e-receipting and digital reporting, and leverage its informal and digital economy for sustainable growth.

He warned against MDAs operating different accounts in taxes and levies collection, as all IGR funds are to be deposited at the agency’s account in line with the law.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jackson Eribo, Executive Director of MDA Services, listed issues include illegal opening of revenue accounts, cash collections against the state’s cashless policy, and partial remittances as challenges hindering revenue optimisation.

He added that order problems include, fragmentation of systems outside the Edo Revenue Administration System (ERAS), and non-compliance with Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) requirements.

He described the continued violation of the state’s cashless policy through cash collections and partial remittances as a serious challenge.