Politics
BREAKING : Details have been released on the new bill the Senate introduced on Thursday seeking to create an independent electoral body charged with the responsibility of conducting local government council elections.
*The bill with title,“Local Government Independent Electoral Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 531)”, was sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Sen. Sani Musa, (APC, Niger-East).*
*The bill partly states, “To establish the National Independent Local Government Electoral Commission (NILGEC) responsible for conducting elections to the office of the Local Government Chairman and Councillors, and any other matter thereof to do with local government as a third tier of government.*
*“The National Independent Local Government Electoral Commission (NILGEC) is hereby established as an autonomous body mandated to organize, oversee, and conduct elections for the offices of Local Government Chairman and Councillors across all states.”*
*The bill lists the functions and powers of NILGEC to include conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections for Local Government Chairman and Councillors.*
Ekwutosblog gathered that It stated further, “To prepare and maintain an accurate and up-to-date voter register.*
*“To ensure voter education and public awareness regarding the electoral process.*
*“To set and enforce electoral guidelines and regulations for Local Government elections.*
*“To recruit and train electoral officers and staff for efficient election management.*
*“To monitor and supervise all electoral activities and processes.*
*“To investigate and adjudicate electoral disputes and grievances.”*
*According to the proposed legislation, NILGEC shall consist of a Chairperson and six Commissioners, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.*
*It says,’The Chairperson and Commissioners shall serve for a term of five years, renewable once.*
*On its independence and autonomy, the bill states that NILGEC shall operate independently, free from external influence and interference.*
*“The Commission shall have its own budget, approved by the National Assembly, to ensure financial independence”, it states.*
*On the electoral process and procedures, the bill states that NILGEC shall develop and implement procedures for voter registration, candidate nomination, and the conduct of elections*
*It stated, “NILGEC shall ensure the provision of necessary electoral materials and logistics for the smooth conduct of elections.*
*“NILGEC shall announce the election schedule at least six months before the date of the election.*
*“Elections for the offices of Local Government Chairman and Councillors shall be conducted every four years.”*
*On the electoral offenses and penalties, it explained that NILGEC shall define and enforce penalties for electoral offenses, including but not limited to voter fraud, ballot stuffing, and electoral violence.*
*“Offenders shall be prosecuted and punished in accordance with the laws of the land.*
*“NILGEC shall collaborate with other relevant government agencies, security forces, and civil society organizations to ensure a secure and credible electoral process.*
*“Upon the establishment of NILGEC, all powers and functions related to the conduct of Local Government elections previously vested in any other body or authority shall be transferred to NILGEC.”*
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
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