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Barely three months before the January 16 National Assembly elections, the battle for the presidency of the 11th Senate is already gathering steam, with aspirants facing the first crucial test of winning senatorial seats before entering the high-stakes contest for the coveted office.

Beyond the political manoeuvring, the contest raises a defining question of whether the next Senate President would defend the independence of the legislature and the interests of Nigerians, or serve the political interests of the ruling party and the president.

For Nigerians who have watched the 10th Senate operate since June 2023, the question is particularly important. BusinessDay reports that the legislature is constitutionally expected to check the excesses of the executive, scrutinise public expenditure, protect citizens’ interests and ensure that government policies reflect the needs of the country.

However, critics and analysts have consistently accused the current Senate of surrendering too much of its independence to the executive, earning it the appellation of a rubber-stamp legislature.

Abubakar Kari, professor of Political Sociology at the University of Abuja, has described the trend as a threat to democracy. Kari said it was unfortunate that the legislature had become ‘a refuge for benchwarmers and people who are more interested in hefty pay.’

In a telephone interview with our correspondent, Kari expressed particular concern over the Senate, which he said had become ‘a retirement hall’ for former governors.

‘In a cycle of four years, you find that nothing is heard of some of them; they don’t even move any motion or contribute to debates,’ he said.

Kari said that many lawmakers rarely sponsor bills or perform their representational duties, adding that ‘they have an entirely different reason for going there.’

He said, ‘They are not performing, and they don’t even intend to perform. They are only representing their interests.’

The emerging ambitions of Godswill Akpabio, Senate President and former governor of Akwa Ibom State; Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North, former governor of Edo State, former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo State and chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), extend beyond the battle for the number three citizen.

It raises questions about legislative independence, executive influence and whether the next Senate will offer Nigerians a stronger institution or merely reproduce the existing political arrangement.

Although the three politicians have different political histories, their ambitions converge around the same institution and the opportunity to influence the direction of national governance.

All three have secured APC tickets for their respective senatorial districts ahead of 2027, setting the stage for a high-stakes succession battle.

On October 15, senators endorsed Godswill Akpabio for another term, declaring ‘no vacancy’ in the next Senate leadership if the incumbent returned.

Akpabio and the politics of continuity

For Akpabio, Senate President since June 2023, retaining his seat is as much about political influence as continuity. His unwavering loyalty to President Tinubu has, however, fuelled criticism that the Senate under his watch has become a rubber stamp for the executive.

Akpabio has publicly assured Tinubu of the National Assembly’s support, including for his second-term ambition. On another occasion, he declared that Nigerians could say whatever they liked, but the Senate would not fight the president; a remark that reinforced concerns about legislative independence.

Critics point to the Senate’s swift approval of presidential loan requests, confirmation of controversial nominees and passage of contentious bills, including the restoration of Nigeria’s old national anthem, as evidence of its reluctance to challenge the executive.

Dissenting lawmakers have also faced disciplinary action. Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi Central, was suspended in March 2024 after alleging discrepancies in the 2024 budget. Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno South, was removed as Senate Chief Whip in July 2024 after criticising Tinubu’s handling of economic hardship.

While Akpabio’s supporters argue that cooperation with the presidency promotes stability and facilitates governance, critics warn that excessive loyalty risks reducing the legislature’s constitutional oversight role to political allegiance.

With Nigerians battling rising living costs, insecurity and unemployment, the central question is whether the Senate can hold the executive accountable while maintaining a working relationship with the president. For Akpabio, the pursuit of continuity must contend with growing scrutiny of the independence of the institution he leads.

Oshiomhole: The unbending labour leader in the Senate

Oshiomhole built his reputation as a fearless labour leader, known for confronting powerful interests and refusing to back down under pressure. His challenge to Akpabio over the Senate Standing Orders amendments in May 2026 reinforced that combative image.

The amendments sought to restrict Senate leadership positions to lawmakers with at least two consecutive terms but were later rescinded amid concerns over their implications.

Oshiomhole’s opposition exposed the political stakes in controlling the Senate and raised questions about legislative independence.

His record as a former governor, party chairman and labour leader suggests a politician unafraid of confrontation. The greater test, however, is whether he would translate that reputation into institutional reform.

Observers have asked whether he could protect minority rights, strengthen oversight of executive spending, encourage robust debate and resist attempts to turn the Senate into an extension of the presidency if given the mandate.

Oshiomhole’s greatest test would be to prove that his resistance to pressure extends beyond political battles to defending the Senate’s independence, even when doing so conflicts with the interests of his party or the executive.

Uzodimma and the presidential connection

As Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) and prominent APC figure, Uzodimma commands political networks that could shape the contest for the next Senate presidency.

He represented Imo West in the Senate from 2011 to 2019 before becoming governor in January 2020. But his ambition raises a question of timing.

His tenure as governor ends in January 2028, while the 11th National Assembly is expected to be inaugurated in June 2027. To take his Senate seat, he would have to address the constitutional prohibition against simultaneously holding both offices, potentially leaving the governorship early.

The Senate presidency offers considerable influence over legislative priorities, committee assignments and negotiations with the executive. For Uzodimma, it could provide a platform in national politics beyond Imo State.

However, his close ties to President Tinubu raise a fundamental question of whether that relationship would strengthen legislative-executive cooperation or weaken the Senate’s independence.

Analysts argue that while presidential access could ease negotiations over legislation and policy, it cannot substitute for independent oversight.

The real test is whether Uzodimma would scrutinise executive borrowing, budgets and appointments, and defend senators who challenge presidential decisions even within his own party, if given the mandate.

Weighing the contenders

Tahir Monguno, Senate Chief Whip representing Borno North, and Cyril Fasuyi, senator representing Ekiti North, had endorsed Godswill Akpabio for a second term as Senate President during plenary.

Monguno declared that ‘there is no vacancy,’ while Fasuyi said the Senate presidency was ‘not open to any contest’ as it was ‘already occupied by Senator Godswill Akpabio,’ expressing optimism that Akpabio would win the senatorial poll and return to the Senate.

But Jackson Lekan Ojo, a political analyst, has described Adams Oshiomhole as the ‘lesser evil’ among the three potential contenders for the Senate presidency, arguing that his courage and independence could help protect the legislature from executive interference.

In a telephone interview with BusinessDay, Ojo said Oshiomhole would be better positioned than Hope Uzodimma to assert the Senate’s independence if President Bola Tinubu secures a second term.

‘The three of them are birds of a feather, but among them, Oshiomhole can be a better Senate president because he may not be cowed by any president,’ he said.

Ojo described Oshiomhole as bold enough to take principled decisions, warning that Uzodimma’s emergence could weaken the legislature further.

‘If Uzodimma becomes Senate president and Tinubu becomes president again, they will close down the Senate. Senators will be meeting at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa. The three of them are not good, but Oshiomhole is the lesser evil,’ he added.

A consortium of civil society organisations has launched the Nigeria Election Data Observatory (NEDO), an initiative that will deploy more than 4,000 election observers and use artificial intelligence (AI) to verify election results ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Oluseyi Olufemi, executive director of Dataphyte, who spoke on behalf of the consortium at the official launch and press briefing, said the initiative would integrate independent election observation networks into a shared technology platform for collecting, analysing, verifying and distributing electoral information.

The consortium comprises Dataphyte Foundation, BudgIT the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Yiaga Africa, NED and DEAN Initiative.

Olufemi said the initiative was designed to address fragmentation in Nigeria’s civic information ecosystem, where civil society organisations often collect similar information, operate separate observation networks and publish findings without a common system for sharing resources, comparing evidence and verifying information.

He said the limitations became more apparent during the 2023 general elections, particularly amid challenges surrounding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) results and the IReV results portal, especially during the transmission and publication of election results.

According to him, the experience demonstrated the need for independent, coordinated civic infrastructure capable of consolidating information from multiple sources and cross-checking electoral evidence.

The consortium also cited the growing threat posed by generative AI, deepfakes, manipulated content and misinformation, which are making it increasingly difficult for citizens to distinguish credible election information from false or misleading claims.

Olufemi said public confidence in the electoral process remained a concern, citing a September 2026 National Voting Intention Survey by Afrobarometer, which he said found that only 34 percent of respondents expressed confidence in INEC’s ability to conduct credible elections.

He said the developments reinforced the need for independent election observation and access to credible, verifiable information throughout the electoral cycle.

‘No single civil society organisation, regardless of its experience or resources, can adequately respond to these challenges at the national level,’ he said, explaining that the consortium had decided to pool its institutional capacities and establish a common evidence system.

Olufemi described NEDO as a shared election observation, data aggregation and information-sharing system that integrates independent observation networks through a common technological platform.

According to him, the platform incorporate automated data collection technology designed to receive election results published by INEC in real time.

Using AI-powered optical character recognition (OCR), he said the platform will convert images of election result sheets obtained from IReV into machine-readable data that can be organised, analysed and distributed.

He further informed that the more than 4,000 election observers will provide real-time information on electoral administration, incidents, voting processes, vote collation and election results across different locations and stages of the electoral process.

He said the iinformation will also support media reporting and election verification through media networks coordinated by CJID.

Before the elections, he informed that the consortium will conduct election surveys and situation assessments to examine electoral preparedness, citizens’ perceptions, public confidence, emerging risks and the broader conditions shaping the 2027 elections.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has backed the Flamingos to overcome Mexico and secure a place in the quarter-finals of the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, Acting General Secretary of the NFF, gave the team a morale boost on Wednesday when he visited the Nigeria U-17 girls during their afternoon training session in Rabat.

Ikpeme urged the players to put their 3-1 victory over defending champions Korea DPR behind them and focus on Thursday’s Round of 16 clash against Mexico, with a place in the last eight at stake.

He encouraged the team to remain focused and determined as they prepare for the knockout encounter.

Thursday’s meeting will revive memories of the teams’ clash at the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica. The Flamingos defeated Mexico 3-0 in a Group D fixture at the Estadio Nacional in San José on March 23, 2014, with Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu and Aminat Yakubu scoring for Nigeria.

Head coach Hakeem Busari had earlier urged his players to put their group-stage victories over Puerto Rico and Korea DPR behind them and prepare for the greater intensity of knockout football.

Busari will have his full 21-player squad available for selection, with in-form goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho and defenders Azeezat Oduntan, Ohunene Sunday, Esther Stephen and Kanyinsola Rodiat Yusuf among the players expected to feature.

Favour Nkwocha and Tosin Rafiu, who represented the Falconets at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland last month, could feature in midfield alongside Mary Dunstan.

In attack, Oluebube Umejiaku and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, who have scored two goals each at the tournament, are expected to be considered for starting roles. Precious Oscar and Harmony Chidi, who were benched for Friday’s victory over the defending champions, are also options.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Anambra State chapter has stepped up preparedness against the Ebola virus in the state, with members adequately mobilised.

Ndubuisi Arua, NMA Anambra State chapter, disclosed this during its 2026 Physicians Week on Wednesday in Onitsha, Anambra State.

According to him, the association is using the annual Physicians Week to start awareness campaigns, to remind members of signs and symptoms of Ebola virus, and to remain vigilant and maintain a high index of suspicion of the disease

‘We are mobilising our five zonal structures of Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Aguata and Ihiala against Ebola disease,’ he said.

The 2026 Physicians Week, with the theme ‘Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria’, will provide the members with an opportunity to reflect on their calling as physicians and also help them to evaluate their contributions to the evolving health landscape of Nigeria.

‘We are carrying the awareness campaign through radio and television to reach the general public and all nooks and crannies of the state.

‘Campaigns for proper environmental sanitation, food hygiene and personal hygiene are ongoing through NMA’s five zonal structures. This will help reach out to all the villages and hamlets in the state.

‘We are also working to ensure that personal protective equipment, drugs and other consumables are made available in our hospitals, clinics and treatment centres.

We are ever ready to help the government and people of the state as a group and in our individual places of work in the fight to prevent and treat Ebola disease.’

‘The association is also working to ensure personal protective equipment, drugs and other consumables are made available in the hospitals, clinics and treatment centres across the state.

‘We are the frontline clinical personnel in all medical establishments in the state, so we are ever ready and prepared for any infectious disease outbreak, particularly Ebola, Arua stressed.

He emphasised that the celebration is a time to celebrate the resilience, dedication and compassion that define the medical profession, even in the face of numerous challenges confronting healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Igwebuike Onyiaorah, a professor delivering a lecture on the topic ‘Securing the future of medicine in Nigeria’, said the future of medicine in Nigeria is holistic, and not just about what the doctors do, but about every other person that contributes to medicine.

He urged Federal government to boost the budgetary allocation to health to 15% of the national budget as requested by the World Health Organization, ‘even if that cannot be achieved, we should begin to approximate that intentionally, raise it from 5% to 10% and let the money be used judiciously.

‘If we are able to do that, the Nigerian person will be healthier and is only a healthy person that can improve the economy, help self and the immediate environment,’ he noted.

Christopher Okonkwo, the Chief host, earlier reminded the public of the selfless services and sacrifices they make daily to protect the health of Nigerians.

Twenty-two of 44 financial institutions surveyed in Nigeria have yet to begin implementing measures to comply with the country’s data localisation requirements, raising concerns about readiness ahead of the January 1, 2027 deadline.

The findings show that while most institutions have identified the data and systems covered by the requirements, progress on securing budgets, contracting local providers and migrating systems remains slow, with just nine weeks left before the deadline.

The survey, presented by Muhammad Aminu Lawal, special assistant on digital transformation to the director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, found that 26 institutions, representing 59 percent, had completed the required actions or expected to do so by the deadline.

However, 15 institutions said they were unlikely or very unlikely to finish on time, while three could not assess their readiness.

The findings were presented at the Executive Regulatory Dialogue on NSCI Implementation and Data Localisation, convened by NITDA and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Lagos. The meeting brought together regulators, financial sector executives, banks, fintech operators and technology service providers.

The presentation described the implementation gap in stark terms: ‘Half are still planning; 22 of 44 have not started implementing.’ It classified 59 percent of respondents as on track and 34 percent as at risk.

The survey was based on self-reported, anonymised and aggregated responses and was explicitly described as ‘not a compliance assessment’.

A breakdown of the findings shows that financial institutions have made more progress in identifying affected data and systems than in committing resources to meet the requirements.

While 70 percent of respondents had identified the data or systems covered by the rules, only 52 percent had mapped their hosting and administration arrangements.

Progress was considerably weaker at the execution stage. Just 25 percent had secured board or executive approval and a budget, 23 percent had contracted local providers, and only 18 percent had started migration or remediation.

‘Mapping is done; budgets, contracts and migration lag,’ Lawal said.

The figures suggest that identifying the systems affected by the requirements has not translated into the financial commitments and operational changes needed to complete implementation.

Regulatory uncertainty is also slowing preparations, with institutions seeking clarification on the scope of the requirements and what constitutes compliance.

Sixty-four percent of respondents wanted a definition of ‘payment transaction data’, while 38 percent sought clarity on what it means for data to be ‘stored and managed in Nigeria’.

Twenty-nine institutions said they depended on clarification, while half of respondents said they were proceeding based on working assumptions. Another 16 percent reported that material work was on hold pending further guidance.

The presentation identified a written clarification on the scope of the rules as a priority, alongside clearer transition milestones, an exceptions process and guidance on existing contracts.

The January deadline is therefore approaching as institutions contend with both implementation gaps and unanswered regulatory questions.

The survey presentation concluded that compliance was ‘within reach for about six in 10, not yet for the rest’, identifying regulatory clarity as a critical factor in determining whether institutions can complete the required work on time.

With budgets, provider contracts and migration still lagging behind initial planning, the remaining weeks will be crucial for financial institutions seeking to meet the deadline.

MTN Group is advocating greater collaboration between satellite and terrestrial telecommunications operators, arguing that both technologies should complement each other under a ‘same service, same rules’ framework as demand for reliable connectivity expands across Africa.

Ralph Mupita, group president and chief executive officer of MTN Group, who made the call at a meeting with MTN Media Innovation fellows, on Wednesday, in Lagos, said low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite networks could help extend connectivity to underserved areas, while mobile operators continue to invest in fibre and terrestrial infrastructure to support growing data demand.

Mupita said satellite services should complement existing telecommunications networks rather than operate as a separate system with fundamentally different regulatory obligations where comparable services are being provided.

His position comes as satellite internet providers expand their reach, creating new opportunities to connect remote communities and businesses while intensifying competition in the broadband market.

Providers such as Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb use LEO satellites to deliver internet connectivity in locations where deploying terrestrial infrastructure can be difficult or expensive. Satellite links can also provide backup transmission for mobile operators, helping maintain connectivity where fibre links are unavailable or disrupted.

Mupita said MTN uses LEO satellite technology for backup transmission, particularly in rural areas. The approach illustrates how satellite connectivity can support terrestrial networks rather than necessarily replace them.

For countries such as Nigeria, where expanding broadband access requires investment across geographically diverse communities, partnerships between satellite providers and mobile operators could help address gaps in coverage and improve network resilience.

However, Mupita said the growth of satellite connectivity should be accompanied by consistent regulatory requirements. He pointed to obligations relating to privacy, data handling, taxation, regulatory fees and lawful interception as areas that require consideration under the ‘same service, same rules’ principle.

The framework seeks to ensure that providers offering comparable services face appropriate and consistent obligations, regardless of whether their networks rely on satellites or terrestrial infrastructure. The precise requirements would depend on the services offered and the applicable national laws.

The debate is becoming more significant as satellite providers explore direct-to-device connectivity and other services that could bring satellite technology closer to the traditional mobile market. Such developments could expand coverage but also raise questions about spectrum coordination, competition and the responsibilities of operators serving customers in the same market.

For MTN, collaboration between the two technologies could provide a way to extend network reach while maintaining investment in fibre and mobile infrastructure. Satellite links can help connect remote locations, while fibre remains important for carrying large volumes of data and supporting high-capacity networks.

Mupita’s comments also reflect the broader challenge facing African telecommunications markets, which is, expanding access to connectivity without creating regulatory gaps or discouraging investment in infrastructure.

A partnership-led approach could allow satellite and terrestrial operators to combine their respective strengths, provided commercial arrangements and regulatory requirements are clear. For Nigeria, the outcome will depend on how operators, regulators and satellite providers develop arrangements that improve coverage, protect consumers and support sustainable investment.

Nigerian Breweries Plc increased its profit after tax by 33.4 percent to N114.1 billion in the nine months ended September 2026, supported by higher revenue, improved gross profit and a sharp reduction in finance costs.

The brewer’s unaudited financial statements showed that profit after tax rose from N85.51 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, while revenue increased 5.4 percent to N1.10 trillion from N1.05 trillion.

Profit before tax climbed 32.6 percent to N171.68 billion from N129.47 billion, reflecting improved operating performance and lower financing expenses.

Gross profit rose 15.1 percent to N477.90 billion from N415.15 billion, as cost of sales declined slightly to N624.76 billion from N631.23 billion, despite the increase in revenue.

However, higher selling and distribution expenses moderated the gains. These expenses rose 24.3 percent to N240.94 billion from N193.85 billion, while administrative expenses edged up to N59.85 billion from N59.58 billion.

The company’s operating profit increased 9.8 percent to N179.18 billion from N163.13 billion in the comparable period, indicating that stronger gross earnings were partly absorbed by rising distribution and selling costs.

A major improvement came from financing expenses, which declined significantly during the period. Net finance costs fell to N7.50 billion from N33.66 billion in the first nine months of 2025.

The reduction helped lift earnings before tax, although the company continued to face foreign exchange-related pressures. Its cash flow statement showed a foreign exchange transaction loss of N6.11 billion during the period, compared with N282.86 million in the corresponding period of 2025.

The brewer also recorded higher income tax expenses, which increased to N57.58 billion from N43.97 billion a year earlier. Despite the higher tax burden, the company’s improved operating earnings and lower finance costs supported stronger bottom-line growth.

Its balance sheet strengthened during the period, with total assets rising to N1.13 trillion as of September 30, 2026, from N1.07 trillion at the end of December 2025. Total equity increased to N667.22 billion from N560.22 billion, while cash and cash equivalents grew to N77.28 billion from N61.14 billion.

Cash generated from operating activities increased to N172.91 billion from N119.55 billion, while net cash from operating activities rose to N150.03 billion from N61.18 billion, providing stronger internal funding for operations and investment.

The company invested N61.02 billion in property, plant and equipment during the nine-month period. Its outstanding capital commitments for property, plant and equipment stood at N74.7 billion as of September, down from N83 billion a year earlier.

The current share price of Nigerian Breweries stood at N74.00 per share as of the close of trading on Wednesday on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX).

The brewer began the year with a share price of N75.30 but has since lost 1.73 percent of that price valuation, ranking it 89th on the NGX in terms of year-to-date performance.

Armed assailants have abducted seven persons following a fresh attack on Nuru Suraj Estate in New Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, reports say.

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The attack occurred on Monday night, October 26, when the assailants allegedly breached the estate’s rear security post, where two private security guards were reportedly absent from duty.

Efforts to reach residents for comments and independently verify details of the incident proved unsuccessful, as private security personnel denied media access, while the estate chairman declined media engagement.

According to residents who spoke on condition of anonymity, the two security guards allegedly absent from duty have been arrested and detained for further interrogation over the reported security breach.

Millennium City remains one of the fastest-growing urban areas in Chikun Local Government Area. However, recurring attacks by armed assailants continue to raise concerns over security measures and the safety of residents.

Yuguda said the CBN would continue to work with NITDA and other stakeholders to align financial-sector requirements with national digital infrastructure standards, noting that the implementation of the initiative required collaboration across regulatory and industry boundaries.

He urged stakeholders to focus on infrastructure readiness, cybersecurity, resilience, implementation challenges, regulatory expectations and the management of third-party and concentration risks.

The CBN said its objective was to build a digital financial ecosystem that supports innovation without compromising security, strengthens national control over critical infrastructure without isolating the country, and remains resilient enough to sustain public confidence.

#URLhttps://businessday.ng/news/article/cbn-warns-banks-on-cybersecurity-risks-as-cloud-dependence-grows/#

Days after Amina Adamu Augie, a retired justice of the Supreme Court, warned that corruption among judges, lawyers and court officials was undermining the administration of justice in Nigeria, turning the courts into what she described as ‘market stalls’ rather than temples of justice, other legal practitioners and other analysts have echoed the same sentiment.

Augie said corruption within the legal profession had also damaged public confidence in the judiciary, calling for the punishment of erring practitioners, irrespective of their status or seniority

Indeed, declining confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary and electoral processes could undermine the legitimacy of the 2027 general election, with many other legal practitioners warning that voters may increasingly question whether their ballots will count and whether courts can deliver justice in disputed outcomes.

The lawyers said the growing perception that electoral disputes could be influenced, alongside restrictions on political competition and concerns over judicial independence, threatens public confidence in democracy and could discourage participation in the forthcoming elections.

Afam Osigwe, immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), told BusinessDay that declining participation in elections could be linked to a lack of confidence in both the electoral process and the judicial system responsible for determining disputes.

He said Nigerians who believe their votes would not count or that election petitions would not produce fair outcomes were unlikely to have confidence in the process.

‘As long as people feel that their votes don’t count and that their adjudication in the cases will not produce a fair outcome and that the courts are replacing the electorates in determining leaders, that there will not be much confidence in it,’ Osigwe said.

He said the perception that electoral outcomes could be procured was becoming increasingly widespread, citing cases involving judges and lawyers who had been accused of corruption in electoral disputes.

According to him, some judges had been recommended for dismissal by the National Judicial Council (NJC) and dismissed over allegations of taking bribes to decide electoral cases.

Osigwe, however, said rebuilding confidence in the electoral process required more than focusing on the judiciary, stressing that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, governors, law enforcement agencies and the electorate all had responsibilities.

He said INEC must conduct elections in a manner that allows winners to emerge genuinely deserving of victory and losers to accept the results as fair.

The former NBA president also raised concerns over restrictions on opposition political activities in some states, including alleged prohibitive billboard charges, disruptions of campaign meetings, intimidation and restrictions on rallies.

He said such practices, alongside the alleged destruction of electoral materials and the prevention of political gatherings, could undermine the credibility of elections before voting begins.

‘If you take all these strings of events of our time together and you have an election, even if it has produced a credible winner, people will not believe that the process leading up to that has been fair,’ he said.

Osigwe said the judiciary must also ensure consistency in its decisions and avoid judgments that leave Nigerians questioning whether electoral disputes had been determined fairly.

He said judicial decisions must be sound and stand the test of logic and legality to command legitimacy.

The lawyer warned that the consequences could extend beyond disputed election results, as declining confidence could discourage citizens from participating in elections.

‘Many people today will tell you that they are not going to vote, that no matter what they do, that the outcome is already known. And that’s a huge negative,’ he said.

Osigwe described the problem as systemic, saying lawyers who misuse judicial processes, judges who allow themselves to be influenced and institutions that fail to protect electoral fairness all contribute to the crisis.

He said the responsibility for restoring confidence rested on all stakeholders rather than any particular institution or political party.

Solomon Apenja, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, said the concerns raised by retired Supreme Court Justice Amina Augie reflected deeper problems within the judiciary and the country’s democratic institutions.

Apenja said the judiciary’s role in protecting electoral outcomes had become a major concern, alleging that some courts had frustrated efforts to improve transparency in elections.

He argued that the judiciary had, in some instances, become part of the mechanism through which electoral manipulation was sustained.

‘The judiciary, unfortunately, is a part of the rigging mechanism,’ Apenja said.

He alleged that politicians who disputed election results often approached the courts believing that judicial decisions could be influenced in their favour.

Apenja also criticised judicial interpretations of electoral provisions, arguing that decisions concerning electronic transmission of results had weakened safeguards intended to improve transparency.

He said the introduction of measures such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and electronic transmission of results was intended to address electoral manipulation, but expressed concern that judicial decisions had undermined some of those efforts.

The lawyer said the situation had contributed to public frustration and voter apathy, with citizens increasingly questioning whether participating in elections could produce meaningful change.

He also described the 2026 Electoral Act as a setback, arguing that some safeguards previously available to electoral petitioners had been removed.

Apenja said rebuilding confidence required discipline, accountability and consequences for individuals found to have compromised the electoral process.

He urged Nigerians with evidence of misconduct involving judges or lawyers to submit petitions to the appropriate disciplinary authorities.

According to him, the NBA must continue to speak out and ensure that members of the legal profession uphold the standards expected of them.

‘The truth is you cannot corrupt the bench without the active connivance of the bar,’ he said.

Realwan Okpanachi, a legal practitioner and member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also warned that declining confidence in the judiciary could affect democracy, business and public trust.

Okpanachi said the problem was not limited to the judiciary, but extended to the wider political and institutional environment.

He said the judicial system must ensure that citizens are treated equally before the law and that election results reflect the votes cast.

The lawyer said the consequences of declining confidence in the judiciary could affect businesses and transactions, as people who no longer trust the courts may become reluctant to rely on the judicial system to resolve disputes.

‘It affects business. It affects trust. It affects everything,’ Okpanachi said.

He called for stronger discipline and consequences for misconduct, arguing that the absence of accountability had allowed corruption to become entrenched in the system.

Okpanachi also criticised the 2026 Electoral Act, describing it as a setback that had failed to address problems associated with proving election petitions.

He said the judiciary and INEC must take steps to restore confidence in the electoral process, warning that the consequences of continued distrust could be far-reaching.

However, Dayo Akinlaja, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ekiti State, cautioned against treating allegations of judicial corruption as established facts without evidence.

Akinlaja said although there were concerns about the judiciary that required urgent attention, it was unfair to portray the institution as corrupt without clear proof.

He said individuals who believed judges or lawyers had engaged in misconduct should present evidence to the appropriate authorities.

According to him, allegations of corruption must be supported by empirical evidence before disciplinary action could be pursued.

Akinlaja also identified delays in the dispensation of justice as a major concern, saying prolonged proceedings had affected confidence in the judicial system.

He called for procedural reforms to reduce delays, particularly where preliminary objections such as jurisdiction could be considered alongside substantive matters.

The lawyer said improving the speed of justice and strengthening accountability would help address concerns about the judiciary without unfairly undermining the institution.

He said the NBA and NJC already had mechanisms for addressing misconduct and urged citizens to use them where evidence existed.

Meanwhile, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, NBA president, said her administration would work to ensure lawyers uphold the rule of law and that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man.

She said she had assumed office less than a month earlier and was still working towards implementing her administration’s agenda.

‘I just resumed office less than a month ago, and my administration is working towards implementing its agenda. So, I will not comment beyond what I have said so far,’ she said.

Osigwe said the approaching elections should not be viewed as a reason to abandon efforts to restore confidence in the system, arguing that the willingness of stakeholders to do the right thing remained more important than the time available.

He warned that a winner-takes-all political culture could weaken democracy if political actors continued to prioritise the acquisition of power over fairness and accountability.

The former NBA president urged Nigerians not to lose faith in democracy, warning that the abuse of political power could threaten the survival of the democratic system.

He said restoring confidence in elections and judicial processes required a collective commitment to fairness, accountability and respect for the rule of law.