Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Alhaji Buba Galadima, has faulted key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, warning that recent amendments could weaken Nigeria’s democracy, undermine electoral integrity and pave the way for manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections. Galadima, who spoke on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, criticised the reduction of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) statutory timeline for election preparations, describing it as unrealistic and counterproductive. “Even if you calculate backwards, INEC could not meet the 360 days timeline, not to talk of a shorter one. You…

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has condemned the National Assembly’s rejection of Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act amendment bill, describing the move as a dangerous setback to Nigeria’s democratic development. The clause, which sought to make real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV) mandatory, was voted down by lawmakers on Wednesday. In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its National President, Comrade Yinka Folarin, and National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Adewunmi N. Adesina, the rights group said the decision amounted to a “deliberate…

…Tinubu Calls For Geo-Referenced Road Failure Database …FRSC Records 10,446 Crashes Nationwide In 2025 …FG Pushes Preventive Maintenance Strategy Daud Olatunji President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive audit of Nigeria’s federal roads and the creation of a robust, geo-referenced national database to drive predictive maintenance, improve safety outcomes and end the culture of emergency repairs, against the backdrop of 10,446 road crashes and 5,289 deaths recorded nationwide in 2025. The President, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at the opening of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) 2026 Road Summit in…

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has entered a new phase of full-scale production, raising expectations of improved fuel supply, reduced import dependence and stabilised pump prices across Nigeria. Speaking at a press conference on the state of the $20bn Lekki-based facility on Wednesday, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, David Bird, said the refinery was steadily ramping up output across key product lines, including petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and LPG, describing the development as a major boost to the nation’s energy security. Bird said the refinery, with a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, was designed not only to meet domestic demand…

Nigeria’s active mobile telephone subscriptions climbed to 179.64 million at the end of December 2025, underscoring sustained growth in connectivity and a sharp rise in data consumption, figures released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have shown. The latest industry statistics indicated that active lines increased from 177.43 million in November to 179.64 million in December, pushing national teledensity to 82.87 per cent — a key benchmark that measures the number of active telephone connections per 100 people and reflects the depth of telecom penetration across the country. The data further showed that MTN Nigeria maintained its market dominance with…

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has accused the Chairman of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, Mr Kehinde Adeyemi Amanda, of leading an alleged coordinated attack on federal railway assets in Ibadan, Oyo State. In a statement on Tuesday, the corporation said the incident occurred on Monday at the Mile One-Ten axis along the NRC right-of-way, where the council boss reportedly arrived with a group that included suspected thugs, individuals dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms and operatives of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun. NRC spokesperson, Mr Callistus Unyimadu, said the group allegedly vandalised and carted away critical railway infrastructure,…

No fewer than dozens of residents were killed on Tuesday night when suspected terrorists stormed Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, leaving the Emir of the town, Alhaji Saliu Bio Umar, missing and his palace in ruins. Among those killed were two wives of the monarch, several of his children, the Chief Imam of Woro, a school principal, a headmistress and pupils who had just returned home from school, residents and security sources said on Wednesday. Witnesses said the attackers, believed to be linked to a Sadiku-led Boko Haram faction with ties to Sahel-based terror networks,…

Two residents of Adamawa State who allegedly booed Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri during a political gathering in Ganye have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court, sparking outrage among civil rights advocates and renewed debate over freedom of expression in Nigeria’s political space. The defendants were brought before Magistrate Bapetel on Monday on a two-count charge of conspiracy and disturbing public peace, following the January 28 incident in which the governor was openly jeered by supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at a rally in the town. Although the court granted them bail on Wednesday, their lawyer, Barrister Naptoye…

CSOs Warn Decision May Revive ‘Manual Miracles’, Erode Public Trust INEC Cautions Delays Could Disrupt 2027 Polls Timetable Daud Olatunji The Senate on Wednesday rejected a proposal to make the electronic transmission of election results compulsory, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups and electoral reform advocates who say it could undermine the credibility of future polls. The amendment sought to alter Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to remove the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) discretion over how results are transmitted. Had it passed, presiding officers would have been mandated to upload polling…

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old woman, Mrs Edeh Osinachi, for allegedly torturing her 17-year-old domestic worker by pressing a hot electric iron on her body in Awka, the state capital. The police said the suspect was handed over to them on Wednesday by officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Education after school authorities raised alarm over the teenager’s severe injuries. Confirming the arrest in a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said teachers noticed the burns on the girl during a school session and immediately reported the matter, prompting further investigation. “Preliminary…