Editorial
Electoral Act Review: Need For Caution
The stage appears to be set at the Ni
gerian Senate for voting on some far
reaching changes on the nation’s Electoral Act on Wednesday. But this is not without serious concerns in some quarters.
Already, the Senate Committee on Constitution Review led by Deputy Senate President, Hon Ike Ekweremadu has made its recommendations and the amendment bill has passed second reading. Some of the issues thrown up at the reading should truly bother every Nigerian.
Among changes that are proposed are: To relieve the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the power to appoint secretary to the commission on the one hand and to give tenure to holder of that office.
But the more critical are recommendations that the National Assembly should fix election dates and the sequence thereof; lift the embargo on electronic voting; to set the stage to de-register un-viable political parties; the conferment of exclusive jurisdiction on the Federal High Court of infractions of the Electoral Act among others.
The National Assembly had said that the steps being taken to review the 2010 Electoral Act are intended to strengthen the electoral system in Nigeria. While the commitment to update the Act are commendable, the apparent effect on the independence of INEC needs to be watched.
The Tide finds it difficult to wave away the fears being expressed in some quarters about the decision of the politicians to fix election dates for themselves, state their sequence and make the administration of INEC a rather casual responsibility.
The fear is that if the current amendments pass, some day, the legislature will over-reach itself and actually decide to declare election results in Nigeria. God forbid! This, clearly is not in line with electoral practice anywhere in the world.
This seeming harmless amendment that cuts the powers of INEC and imposes on the system the political wishes of the day, will infringe on the democracy Nigerians fought so long and hard to achieve. It will create in INEC robots that will take the country backwards.
While we agree that the chairman of INEC should not appoint the secretary, we believe that giving it a tenure will rob the commission of adequate leadership devoid of politics at that level. Indeed, the secretary who heads the administration, needs to be like a permanent secretary that would ensure continuity and credible record keeping.
The Senate may indeed mean well in thinking of fixing dates for elections; indeed, they themselves may be afraid that INEC may be influenced by some political figures to plan and fix dates that would be selectively beneficial. But it must be clear that if it is not right for one politician to do so, it cannot be right for any other.
On some of the items for amendment the Senate really needs to reconsider, if they have the best interest of this country at heart. They should not give the impression of being desperate and self serving. It is Nigeria first!
On the e-voting, no right thinking person should oppose it, but this is Nigeria. If the reason is to avoid rigging, this is one system that will deliver perfect rigging. Apart from the fact that Nigerians need to grow into the electronic age first, the inadequate logistics, even un-reliable electricity can make, even the un-initiate, predict correctly the failure of any e-voting now.
The Tide acknowledges the growth of democratic culture in the country, but effort must be made to avoid any hasty move that may be too fast and risky for the nation. At no other time would the National Assembly need to apply discretion more.
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Addressing Unruly Behaviours At The Airports

It began as a seemingly minor in- flight disagreement. Comfort Emmason, a passenger on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, reportedly failed to switch off her mobile phone when instructed by the cabin crew. What should have been a routine enforcement of safety regulations spiralled into a physical confrontation, sparking a national debate on the limits of airline authority and the rights of passengers.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) wasted no time in condemning the treatment meted out to Emmason. In a strongly worded statement, the body described the incident as “a flagrant violation of her fundamental human rights” and called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the airline staff. The NBA stressed that while passengers must adhere to safety rules, such compliance should never be extracted through intimidation, violence, or humiliation.
Following the altercation, Emmason found herself arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, a location more commonly associated with hardened criminals than with errant passengers. In a surprising turn of events, the Federal Government later dropped all charges against her, citing “overriding public interest” and concerns about due process.
Compounding her woes, Ibom Air initially imposed a lifetime ban preventing her from boarding its aircraft. That ban has now been lifted, following mounting public pressure and calls from rights groups for a more measured approach. The reversal has been welcomed by many as a step towards restoring fairness and proportionality in handling such disputes.
While her refusal to comply with crew instructions was undeniably inappropriate, questions linger about whether the punishment fit the offence. Was the swift escalation from verbal reminder to physical ejection a proportionate response, or an abuse of authority? The incident has reignited debate over how airlines balance safety enforcement with respect for passenger rights.
The Tide unequivocally condemns the brutal and degrading treatment the young Nigerian woman received from the airline’s staff. No regulation, however vital, justifies the use of physical force or the public shaming of a passenger. Such behaviour is antithetical to the principles of customer service, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Emmason’s own defiance warrants reproach. Cabin crew instructions, especially during boarding or take-off preparations, are not mere suggestions; they are safety mandates. Reports suggest she may have been unable to comply because of a malfunctioning power button on her device, but even so, she could have communicated this clearly to the crew. Rules exist to safeguard everyone on board, and passengers must treat them with due seriousness.
Nigerians, whether flying domestically or abroad, would do well to internalise the importance of orderliness in public spaces. Adherence to instructions, patience in queues, and courteous engagement with officials are hallmarks of civilised society. Disregard for these norms not only undermines safety but also projects a damaging image of the nation to the wider world.
The Emmason affair is not an isolated case. Former Edo State Governor and current Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, once found himself grounded after arriving late for an Air Peace flight. Witnesses alleged that he assaulted airline staff and ordered the closure of the terminal’s main entrance. This is hardly the conduct expected of a statesman.
More recently, a Nollywood-worthy episode unfolded at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, involving Fuji icon “King”, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1. In a viral video, he was seen exchanging heated words with officials after being prevented from boarding an aircraft.
Events took a dangerous turn when the aircraft, moving at near take-off speed, nearly clipped the 68-year-old musician’s head with its wing. Such an occurrence points to a serious breach of airport safety protocols, raising uncomfortable questions about operational discipline at Nigeria’s gateways.
According to accounts circulating online, Wasiu had attempted to board an aircraft while he was carrying an alcoholic drink and refused to relinquish it when challenged. His refusal led to de-boarding, after which the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, imposed a six-month “no-fly” ban, citing “unacceptable” conduct.
It is deeply concerning that individuals of such prominence, including Emmason’s pilot adversary, whose careers have exposed them to some of the most disciplined aviation environments in the world, should exhibit conduct that diminishes the nation’s reputation. True leadership, whether in politics, culture, or professional life, calls for restraint and decorum, all the more when exercised under public scrutiny.
Most egregiously, in Emmason’s case, reports that she was forcibly stripped in public and filmed for online circulation are deeply disturbing. This was an act of humiliation and a gross invasion of privacy, violating her right to dignity and falling short of the standards expected in modern aviation. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be subjected to such degrading treatment.
Ibom Air must ensure its staff are trained to treat passengers with proper decorum at all times. If Emmason had broken the law, security personnel could have been called in to handle the matter lawfully. Instead, her ordeal turned into a public spectacle. Those responsible for assaulting her should face prosecution, and the airline should be compelled to compensate her. Emmason, for her part, should pursue legal redress to reinforce the principle that justice and civility must prevail in Nigeria’s skies.
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