Politics
10th NASS Loses Five Members In One Year
The 10th Nigeria’s National Assembly has recorded the death of five members since its inauguration in June 2023.
While the House of Representatives lost four members, the Senate recorded the death of one member.
There are 469 members of the National Assembly, comprising 109 senators and 360 House of Representatives members.
National Assembly members who had died in the last one year are Ekene Adams, Olaide Akinyemi, Isa Dogonyaro, Abdulkadir Danbuga and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Their deaths have left a significant void in the legislative body and impacted the lives of their constituents.
Abdulkadir Danbuga
On October 11, 2023, a member, representing Isa/Sabon Birni Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulkadir Danbuga, passed on following a brief illness.
President Bola Tinubu, in a statement by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, said the lawmaker’s demise created a void in his immediate family and robbed the people of his constituency of quality and uncompromising representation in the House of Representatives.
“I offer my condolences to his family, constituents, and the people and government of Sokoto State. I also condole with the presiding officers of the House of Representatives and the entire membership over the devastating loss of an eminent colleague,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.
Isa Dogonyaro
Isa Dogonyaro, also a member of the House of Representatives, died on May 10, 2024, in Abuja following an undisclosed illness.
Hon. Dogonyaro represented Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State on the platform of the APC.
He was declared the lawful APC candidate for the House of Representatives in the 2023 general elections after a court sacked Aminu Kanta who was declared the winner of the primary election in the constituency. Until his death, Dogonyaro was the deputy chairperson of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control.
Ekene Adams
A member of the House of Representatives representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, on the platform of the Labour Party, Ekene Adams died on July 16, 2024, at 39 after battling ill health.
Until his demise, Adams was the chairman, House Committee on Sports.
Before he was elected a federal lawmaker, Adams worked in the sports sector. He was at different times the general manager of Kada City Football Club in Kaduna State and Remo Stars in Ogun State.
His demise was announced in a statement by the House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, who described him as “a dedicated public servant, passionate sports administrator, and kind philanthropist”.
Also, the National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure while mourning the death of Adams said the news of his death came to him as a rude shock.
Musiliudeen Akinremi
Still in July, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, Musiliudeen Akinremi, who was representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Oyo State, died in Abuja.
Akinremi, popularly called Jagaban, died at 51.
He served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Science Research Institutions.
Akinremi, a member of the APC, was elected in 2019 and won his re-election in 2023.
The lawmaker also reportedly died after battling a brief illness.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah
The National Assembly was on Saturday thrown into mourning with the death of the lawmaker representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Senator Ubah, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil, was said to have died in London, in the United Kingdom.
He would have been 53 on September 3.
Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed Ubah’s death to The Tide source on Saturday.
He was the founder of a Nigerian daily newspaper, The Authority. He also founded the Ifeanyi Ubah FC, a football club in the Nigeria Premier League, following its purchase as Gabros International Football Club. He also founded a foundation named after him; Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation.
In 2014, Ubah contested the Anambra State governorship election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) but lost the race.
On February 24, 2019, Ubah was declared the winner of the Anambra South Senatorial election on the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) but defected to APC.
Senator Ubah was married to Uchenna Ubah, a Business Administration graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, with whom he had five children.
Alhaji Mohammed Kasim, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has won the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Philip Akpeni, the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced the results on Sunday morning.
Alhaji Kasim polled 22,165 votes to defeat Alhaji Yahaya Shehu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 17,788 votes.
Alhaji Biko Umar of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) scored 1, 687 to come in third place.
“I am the returning officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Gwagwalada chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026,” Akpeni said.
“That Mohammed Kasim of PDP, having certified the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”
In the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, the APC candidate, was declared the winner of the chairmanship poll with 40,295 votes.
Andrew Abue, the Collation Officer for AMAC, said Hon. Maikalangu, who is the incumbent AMAC chairman, was returned elected having scored the highest number of votes cast.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) came second with 12,109 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 3,398 votes.
According to Abue, the total number of valid votes in the chairmanship poll was 62,861, while the total votes cast stood at 65,197.
He added that the number of registered voters in AMAC was 837,338, while the total number of accredited voters was 65,676.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mr. Joshua Ishaku of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Bwari Area Council Chairmanship election.
Announcing the result on Sunday in Bwari, the Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Mohammed Nurudeen, stated that Ishaku polled a total of 18,466 votes to emerge victorious in the February 21, 2026 poll.
“I am the Returning Officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Bwari chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026. That Joshua Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” Nurudeen said.
According to the results declared, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured 4,254 votes, while the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) polled 3,515 votes to place second and third respectively.
The declaration adds to the series of results emerging from the 2026 FCT Area Council elections, as political parties assess their performance ahead of future contests.
INEC UPLOADS 2,602 OF 2,822 FCT CHAIRMANSHIP RESULTS ON IReV
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had uploaded 2,602 out of the 2,822 expected polling unit results from Saturday’s chairmanship elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as at 5:55am on Sunday, data retrieved from its Result Viewing Portal (IReV) showed.
According to The Tide source, the figure represents an overall upload rate of about 92.2 per cent across the six area councils of the territory.
A council-by-council breakdown indicates that Municipal Area Council recorded the highest number of submissions in absolute terms, with 1,309 of 1,401 polling unit results uploaded, representing 93.43 per cent.
In Gwagwalada Area Council, 330 of the expected 338 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 97.63 per cent — the highest upload rate among the six councils.
In Bwari Area Council, INEC uploaded 463 of 485 polling unit results, translating to 95.46 per cent.
In Abaji Area Council, 129 of 135 polling unit results had been uploaded as at 5:55am, representing 95.56 per cent.
In Kwali Area Council, 164 of the expected 201 polling unit results were available on the portal, representing 81.59 per cent.
In Kuje Area Council, 207 of 262 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 79.01 per cent — the lowest rate among the six councils as at the time of review.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group described the swift assent as a clear demonstration of political will to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We see the decision by President Bola Tinubu to sign the reworked 2022 Electoral Act into law within a few hours of its passage as a demonstration of political will to ensure an improved electoral process which the new law envisages,” the group said.
The TMSG expressed confidence that the development would enable the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to quickly align its operations with the new provisions in preparation for the 2027 polls.
The group noted that the provision for electronic transmission of results had been contentious but described its codification in the law as a significant step forward.
“So, for the first time, the country’s electoral law would be recognising the use of the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the result viewing portal, IREV, which were just INEC guidelines in 2023,” it stated.
According to the TMSG, although the Act provides for electronic transmission of results from polling units to the IREV portal, it also makes room for manual transmission of Form EC8A result sheets as a backup in the event of technological failure.
“Unlike some Nigerians, we do not see anything wrong with the fallback plan but we agree with the President that no matter how beautiful a process is with improved technology, the onus lies on the people manning it to show good faith and ensure that the votes of the people really count at the end of the day,” the statement added.
The group highlighted other key provisions in the amended law, including the streamlining of party primaries to either consensus or direct primaries, early release of funds to INEC, reinforced measures against over-voting, and stiffer sanctions for electoral offences such as falsification of results.
It also pointed out that the mandatory notice period for elections has been reduced from 360 days to 300 days, giving INEC more flexibility in adjusting the timetable for the 2027 elections, especially where it may clash with Ramadan.
The TMSG further observed that the President’s decision to sign the bill days before the forthcoming Area Council Election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) underscores his desire for the law to take immediate effect.
“And by signing the amendment bill a few days before the Area Council Election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it is obvious that the President is keen on ensuring that the 2026 Electoral Act takes immediate effect.
“Nigerians would also have an opportunity to see some of the key provisions of the new electoral law become operational, especially the electronic transmission of results,” it said.
The group expressed optimism that the current INEC leadership would leverage the new legal framework to deliver a more credible and widely acceptable electioneering process than in previous electoral cycles.
-
Maritime12 hours ago
Customs Declares War Against Narcotics Baron At Idiroko Border
-
Maritime12 hours ago
Nigeria To Pilot Regional Fishing Vessels Register In Gulf Of Guinea —Oyetola
-
Maritime12 hours ago
NIMASA,NAF Boost Unmanned Aerial Surveillance For Maritime Security
-
Maritime12 hours ago
NIWA Collaborates ICPC TO Strengthen Integrity, Revenue
-
City Crime9 hours ago
NCSU Hails Fubara Over 2025 New Telegraph Man Of The Year Award
-
Maritime12 hours ago
NIMASA GETS NEW MARITIME GUARD COMMANDER,ADOKI
-
Business12 hours agoBOI Introduces Business Clinic
-
Business12 hours agoDangote signs $400 mln equipment deal with China’s XCMG to speed up refinery expansion