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CITAD urges Senate to pass electoral amendment bill ahead of 2027 polls
Bosede Olufunmi
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged the Senate to expedite action on the Electoral Amendment Bill 2025, warning that further delay could adversely affect preparations for the 2027 general elections.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Director of CITAD, Mr Yunusa Zakari-Ya’u, made the call on Wednesday during an emergency news conference in Kano.
Zakari-Ya’u recalled that during the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) assured Nigerians of the effective deployment of technology, particularly the electronic transmission of election results from polling and collation centres.
According to him, the assurance boosted public confidence, as electronic transmission was widely seen as a major step towards transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
He, however, lamented that INEC’s failure to fully implement electronic transmission of results had serious legal implications, noting that most election petitions arising from the 2023 polls were dismissed by the Supreme Court due to ambiguities in the Electoral Act.
Zakari-Ya’u explained that INEC did not expressly mandate electronic transmission of results, while the courts relied on loopholes in the law because it was not clearly stated as mandatory.
He added that the outcome of the 2023 elections triggered widespread calls for a review of the Electoral Act to prevent future misinterpretations.
“The National Assembly, through its Committees on Electoral Matters, subsequently conducted consultations and public hearings across the country over the last two to three years, resulting in an agreed amendment bill,” he said.
According to him, the proposed bill makes electronic transmission of results mandatory, introduces stiffer penalties for INEC officials who violate electoral laws, grants greater financial autonomy to INEC, and strengthens internal party democracy.
Zakari-Ya’u described the proposed amendments as critical to restoring public confidence in the electoral process, noting the steady decline in voter turnout in recent elections.
He said the House of Representatives passed the Electoral Amendment Bill in December 2025 after completing its legislative processes, adding that the bill now requires concurrence by the Senate before it can be transmitted to the President for assent.
The CITAD boss expressed disappointment that the Senate proceeded on recess at the end of 2025 without concluding work on the bill, describing the delay as risky, especially as INEC is legally required to publish the timetable for the 2027 general elections by April.
According to him, failure to pass the bill before then could create uncertainty over the legal framework governing the 2027 polls.
He recalled a similar situation in 2019, when delays in amending the Electoral Act led to the withholding of presidential assent due to time constraints, and urged the Senate to act swiftly to avoid a repeat of the setback and ensure credible elections in 2027.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
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