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New electoral law: Senate playing dangerous games with Nigeria – Falana
Femi Falana, foremost human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has criticised the Nigerian Senate over the repeated postponement of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, warning that such delays could severely compromise the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told his host on ARISE NEWS Television, on Sunday, after expressing frustration over the Senate’s decision to establish yet another committee to review the bill, which the House of Representatives had already passed in December 2025, that the process was unnecessary and aimed at preserving the status quo rather than addressing pressing electoral reforms.
“Clearly, from the conduct of both chambers of the National Assembly, it is very clear that the members simply want the status quo retained.
“This rigmarole is meant to give the impression to Nigerians that the proposed Electoral Act is being addressed,” Falana said, arguing that the changes, addressed longstanding gaps in the system, while accusing the lawmakers of focusing on amendments already covered by existing laws while failing to ensure effective enforcement of electoral provisions.
“We operate in an atmosphere of reckless impunity. The only politically important issue today is the gale of defections in Nigeria, yet the National Assembly focuses on time-wasting amendments,” he said, regretting that key electoral reforms, including the establishment of an electoral offences commission recommended in 2008, had yet to be implemented.
“There is the need to clearly codify electronic accreditation and transmission of results into law, Last election, we were subjected to a national disgrace when three leading presidential candidates claimed to have won. That election petition lasted 10 months. Why should it take two years to put these provisions in law?
“Under the current democratic dispensation, it is only the Federal High Court that is empowered, by virtue of Section 251(2) of the Constitution, to try treason and allied offences. The government must adhere to this law.
“If the government wants to demolish, no problem. But you must discuss and place them in another location. Two, our people are entitled to the right to dignity and housing. Actions in the dead of the night using tear gas are not lawful,” Falana said, citing court rulings protecting residents from unlawful displacement.
“Vulgar abuse cannot attract a defamatory action… criticism is indispensable in a democratic society,” he said, while condemning the violent dispersal of peaceful protesters at Alausa. I urge Nigerians and civil society groups to hold lawmakers accountable to ensure the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. Unless Nigerians are mobilised to pressure the National Assembly, the new electoral bill will not be passed. There is no indication that it will be passed unless we act.”
Britain is currently on red-alert and has raised the bar on possible spike in anti Semitism in the country, after a stabbing attack left two Jewish men seriously injured in north London.
Shabana Mahmood Home Secretary, who confirmed fears that the UK faced a growing security risk, spoke on the heels of authorities charging a 45-year-old man following the incident in Golders Green, which police are treating as a suspected terrorist attack.
The victims, aged 34 and 76, were taken to hospital after the assault, with the younger man now discharged and the older victim reported to be in stable condition.
The suspect, identified as Essa Suleiman, who has since been slammed with a two-count charge bordering on attempted murder and possession of a bladed weapon in a public place, is also facing an additional attempted murder charge linked to a separate incident earlier the same day in south London.
Consequent upon his remand in custody with a plan to commence trial before Westminster Magistrates’ Court, UK officials elevated the country’s terrorism threat level to the second highest category, indicating that an attack is considered highly likely, in what Mahmood said reflected broader and sustained security concerns rather than a single
Authorities have pointed to increasing threats tied to foreign actors and a rise in antisemitic incidents across the country. Recent attacks have included arson targeting synagogues and Jewish emergency services, some reportedly linked to external influences.
Police are also reviewing upcoming pro Palestinian demonstrations in London to determine whether tighter restrictions are required. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said efforts are underway to ensure public safety, noting that while protests cannot be banned outright, their scope and movement can be controlled.
Investigations into the stabbing and related incidents remain ongoing as officials assess the wider security implications.
Succour came the way of the David Mark, following the restoration of his leadership of African Democratic Congress (ADC), by the Supreme Court, which removed the order by the Court of Appeal for parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determination of its leadership crisis at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel headed by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, held that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal acted beyond its jurisdiction by unilaterally issuing such an order after it had already dismissed a case that was brought before it by one of the factions.
“Giving such an order in an appeal it had already dismissed was unnecessary, unwarranted and improper,” the Supreme Court held.
It held that the appeal that was filed before it by Senator David Mark succeeded in part, even as it dismissed the aspect that challenged an ex parte order the Federal High Court made for service of processes in the suit filed by aggrieved members of the party.
The apex court directed the factions to return to the trial court for continuation of hearing of the case.
It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had removed Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal and website as ADC National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, on April 1, citing the Court of Appeal’s judgment.
The electoral body said it would, in line with the order for maintenance of the status quo ante bellum, not recognise any of the warring factions until the legal dispute is determined.
By Sunny Igboanugo
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