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Abaribe Insists Senate Approved Electronic Transmission of Election Results

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Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has insisted that the Senate approved the electronic transmission of election results in real time, dismissing media reports suggesting otherwise and saying his integrity is at stake over the issue.

Speaking at a media briefing at the National Assembly on Thursday, alongside 13 serving senators, Abaribe asserted that the Senate did not pass the “transfer” of results as contained in the 2022 Electoral Act but instead approved the electronic transmission of results, stressing that the distinction is deliberate and significant.

“I am concerned about reports in the media, and that is why we decided to make this clarification. What we passed is electronic transmission of results. I need to make this very clear,” he said.

Abaribe explained that the Senate’s decision followed an extensive legislative process involving consultations with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society organisations (CSOs).

According to him, a joint committee of the National Assembly held several retreats with the stakeholders, after which a consensus was reached that electronic transmission of results should be adopted by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

He added that the Senate subsequently set up an ad hoc committee to review the electoral reform report.

“That report was considered during a closed-door session. I can assure you, on my honour, that during the executive session we all agreed on electronic transmission of results in real time. At plenary yesterday, we also passed it,” he said.

Abaribe said the controversy arose during the plenary session, despite confirmation by the Senate President on the floor that electronic transmission of results had been approved.

He noted that although the Senate adjourned after plenary, it has yet to adopt the Votes and Proceedings, which he described as a necessary procedural step before the conference committee can meet to harmonise the Senate and House versions of the bill.

“There is still one more step left for the Senate to take. Until the Votes and Proceedings are adopted, the conference committee cannot take place. Either the House or the Senate version has to be adopted. A huge number of senators across party lines are with us,” he said.

Also speaking at the briefing, Senator Aliyu Ningi said the process began as far back as 2024 and involved extensive deliberations.

“We had about 27 different sessions as a committee. Some of us find this very painful that public opinion is being pushed in a negative direction despite the work that has been done,” Ningi said.

Both senators emphasised that the legislative process has not ended and that harmonisation cannot occur until all outstanding procedural steps are completed.

Clarifying the terminology, Abaribe said the Senate deliberately chose the word “transmission” rather than “transfer” to avoid ambiguity.

“What is in the 2022 Act is ‘transfer’. We do not want a law that is vague or ambiguous. What we passed is electronic ‘transmission’ of results,” he said.

However, during the clause-by-clause consideration, the Senate expunged the word “transmission” from the amendment and replaced it with the word “transfer,” as contained in the existing Act.

The proposal by the Senate Chief Whip was swiftly seconded by the Deputy Senate President and adopted.

During the debate, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Mongunu, pointed to the exact wording of the law and urged the chamber to retain the term “transfer” as provided in the 2022 Electoral Act.

His position was backed by Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, prompting Senate President Godswill Akpabio to strike the gavel and affirm the retention of the existing provision.

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Lagos Residents Protest Unreliable Power Supply, Demand Immediate Action

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Residents of Lagos on Friday took to the streets to express their frustration over persistent electricity outages, condemning the state’s power supply as “epileptic” and unsustainable for daily life and business activities.

A video circulating on social media showed dozens of mainly young protesters marching through the Fadeyi area, holding placards and chanting for a consistent electricity supply.

The demonstrators criticised what they described as the collapse of the nation’s power sector, stressing that erratic electricity is undermining livelihoods and making life increasingly difficult across Lagos.

Placards displayed messages such as “No More Estimated Billing,” “No More Epileptic Power Supply,” “No Light, No Life, No Nation,” and “You’re Destroying Businesses; Give Us Regular Light.”

One protester declared, “We are not asking for too much. Give us light!”

Local business owners also highlighted the severe impact of inconsistent power supply on their operations, noting that reliance on fuel-powered generators has significantly increased operating costs.

A shop owner at the protest lamented: “We cannot continue like this. Every day we spend money on fuel because there is no electricity. Many small businesses are closing because they cannot cope.”

The demonstration underscores growing public dissatisfaction with electricity supply in Lagos, as residents call on authorities and power operators to ensure a stable and reliable power supply.

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Tinubu Mourns Former Super Eagles Coach Festus Onigbinde

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Super Eagles head coach, Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President extended his condolences to the late coach’s family, associates, and the entire Nigerian football community.

Tinubu also sympathised with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the National Sports Commission, professional colleagues, and football fans across the country over the loss of the respected football administrator.

The President described Onigbinde as a trailblazer whose contributions significantly advanced the growth and development of football in Nigeria.

He noted that the late coach made history as the first indigenous coach of the Super Eagles in 1982, praising his leadership and dedication to the sport.

“Chief Onigbinde distinguished himself as the first indigenous coach of the Super Eagles in 1982,” the statement said.

Tinubu further highlighted Onigbinde’s role in guiding Nigeria to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, describing the achievement as a landmark moment in the country’s football history.

The President also commended the late Modakeke High Chief for his commitment to grassroots football and his efforts to strengthen football administration in Nigeria.

He said Onigbinde would be remembered for his discipline, integrity, foresight, and passion for the game.

Tinubu prayed for the repose of the late football icon and asked God to grant comfort to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

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Again, Dangote Refinery Hikes Petrol To ₦1,175/Litre, Diesel To ₦1,620/Litre — Report

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery has revised its ex-depot prices, increasing the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to ₦1,175 per litre, while Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, has been raised to ₦1,620 per litre.

The latest revision marks the fourth consecutive price review in less than two weeks amid global market volatility, according to a report by Petroleumprice.ng.

Quoting industry sources, the report noted that the new pricing template has been communicated to marketers, following earlier adjustments this month.

Under the revised structure, the ₦1,175 per litre petrol price reflects a significant jump from the previous ₦995 per litre, while diesel has surged sharply from its prior ₦1,430 per litre level, underlining the continued upward trend in domestic fuel pricing.

The increases coincide with a sharp rise in international crude oil benchmarks as of 1:00 pm WAT: Brent crude at $102.8 (+10.91%) and WTI crude at $101.0 (+11.08%), driven by the Middle East energy crisis.

The development is likely to have a ripple effect across Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market, as depot operators and fuel marketers adjust supply costs in response to the revised prices announced by the country’s largest refining facility.

The refinery had yet to issue an official statement on the development as of the time of filing this report.

Oil prices surged by 30 per cent on Monday on fears over supply disruptions in the Middle East, as the US-Israeli war against Iran continued into a second week with no sign of easing.

Concerns that the conflict could drag on intensified after US President Donald Trump said only the “unconditional surrender” of Iran would end the war.

He added over the weekend that the spike in prices was a “small price to pay” to eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat, reiterating the White House’s insistence that the rise is temporary.

Since the beginning of the war, WTI has risen by more than 75 per cent, while Brent has increased by over 60 per cent.

Attacks on oilfields were reported in southern Iraq and in the northern autonomous Kurdistan region, forcing a US-run oilfield to cease production. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have begun reducing output.

This comes as maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz — through which about one-fifth of global crude oil and gas supplies pass — has been halted since the war began on February 28.

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