Nigeria’s leading telecommunications operators have rejected assertions by some members of the National Assembly that the country lacks the infrastructure for real-time electronic transmission of election results, insisting that national network coverage is sufficient to support the process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development followed President Bola Tinubu’s signing of the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law, despite lingering controversy over provisions relating to electronic transmission of results.

Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu maintained that the credibility of elections depends more on effective management and human oversight than on technology alone.

He stressed that while technology can support the process, final outcomes are determined by designated electoral officials, not computers.

He also questioned the country’s broadband capacity and long-term technical readiness for real-time transmission.

In response, operators including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and Globacom, under the umbrella of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), dismissed concerns about inadequate coverage as outdated and inaccurate.

ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, said over 70 per cent of the country is currently covered by 3G and 4G networks, with 5G coverage reaching about 11 per cent, while other areas operate on 2G, which he argued is still capable of transmitting results electronically.

He urged lawmakers to rely on verified data from the Nigerian Communications Commission rather than broad claims about infrastructural gaps.

Although acknowledging security challenges in parts of the country affected by insurgency, the operators maintained that such issues should not justify a nationwide rejection of electronic transmission.

They argued that collaboration among stakeholders would better address isolated network constraints.

The position aligns with that of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has previously stated that results uploaded to its Result Viewing Portal would transmit automatically once devices enter areas with network coverage.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives defended its decision to retain manual transmission as a fallback option in certain circumstances.

Deputy House Spokesperson Philip Agbese said while electronic transmission to the INEC Result Viewing Portal remains mandatory, the manual clause was preserved to prevent disenfranchisement in the event of technical failures.

Similarly, lawmaker Gboyega Nasir Isiaka said concerns over weak digital infrastructure and security vulnerabilities informed the National Assembly’s decision to soften the clause mandating real-time transmission.

According to him, the compromise followed extensive negotiations during the harmonisation process between both chambers.

However, former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Mike Igini warned that allowing discretionary manual transmission could endanger presiding officers at polling units.

He argued that disputes over network availability could expose officials, particularly youth corps members, to threats where voters perceive that network signals are present.

Also weighing in, former Education Minister Obiageli Ezekwesili expressed strong support for electronic transmission, describing it as a critical safeguard against result manipulation.

She said embedding e-transmission firmly in law would enhance transparency and restore public trust in the electoral process.

On his part, former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani cautioned that electronic transmission alone cannot guarantee credible elections.

While supporting the innovation, he emphasised that deeper structural and ethical reforms are required to address persistent malpractice, including voter inducement.

As debates intensify, the issue of electronic transmission remains central to Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 polls, with stakeholders sharply divided over the balance between technology, security and electoral integrity.

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai was reportedly rearrested on Wednesday night by the Department of State Services shortly after regaining freedom from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

El-Rufai had been in EFCC custody since Monday over corruption-related allegations and was granted bail around 8 pm on Wednesday.

However, witnesses said DSS operatives were stationed at the EFCC headquarters and immediately took him into custody upon his release.

Sources indicated that the DSS action is linked to allegations that the former governor unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Earlier in the week, the DSS filed cybercrime charges against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged phone-tapping incident.

The case followed remarks he made during a live interview on Arise TV, where he claimed that Ribadu’s phone had been tapped and that he overheard instructions directing security operatives to detain him.

El-Rufai also alleged that the directive led to an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where he reportedly had a confrontation with security personnel and briefly had his passport seized before being escorted out.

Prosecutors accused him of cybercrime offences, claiming he admitted to intercepting the NSA’s communications and failed to disclose others allegedly involved.

They further argued that the action endangered public safety and national security.

The charges are said to be based on provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

No date has been fixed for his arraignment, and El-Rufai has yet to publicly respond to the latest allegations.

The sequence of his detention by the EFCC and subsequent arrest by the DSS has intensified the legal and political controversy surrounding the former governor.

The Nigerian Senate has been thrown into mourning following the death of the lawmaker representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Barinada Mpigi, who passed away at the age of 64 after a brief illness.

Sources within the National Assembly confirmed that the senator died on Thursday, bringing a somber mood to the chamber during legislative proceedings.

Until his death, Mpigi served in the 10th Senate and chaired the Committee on Works, a strategic body responsible for oversight of federal road infrastructure and related projects nationwide.

He was first elected into the House of Representatives in 2011 and returned for another term before moving to the Senate in 2019 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

During the 9th Assembly, he also led a joint Senate committee mandated to investigate crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, at a time the country faced revenue losses and widespread pipeline vandalism.

News of his passing filtered into the Senate chamber during committee sessions, prompting tributes from lawmakers.

Senator Mohammed Onawo described the late legislator as committed and dedicated to national service, while colleagues observed a minute’s silence in his honour.

Tributes also came from members of the House of Representatives, including Works Committee Chairman Akin Alabi, who praised Mpigi’s contributions to legislative work and national development.

His death comes just months after the passing of another serving senator, Okey Ezea, highlighting a string of losses within the current Assembly.

Mpigi’s demise has once again left the Senate grieving one of its active members, with colleagues recalling his role in infrastructure oversight and national policy engagement.

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has appointed Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy.

The appointment was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, who said the move was aimed at strengthening communication and public interaction around government policies and programmes.

According to the statement, the governor approved Johnson-Okojie’s appointment in recognition of her influence, grassroots appeal, and experience in public advocacy.

The communiqué noted that she is an accomplished actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist with a career spanning nearly two decades and appearances in over 200 films.

It also highlighted her work through the Mercy Johnson Okojie Foundation, where she has supported initiatives focused on women empowerment, child welfare, education, and healthcare outreach.

Ikhilor added that Johnson-Okojie is expected to deploy her visibility and engagement capacity to improve communication between the government and citizens across the state.

Her husband, Odianosen Okogie, represents Esan North East/South East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Members of the South-East chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students have announced plans to raise funds to purchase the expression of interest and nomination forms for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The students also pledged to mobilise more than 20,000 youths across the region for a second-term endorsement rally, citing what they described as the administration’s impact on the education sector and youth development.

The declaration was made during a meeting held at the Education Trust Fund Hall of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam campus, Anambra State, where the South-East NANS leadership gathered with student representatives.

Speaking at the event, the regional coordinator, Okoye Okpala, said the students’ primary concern had always been welfare, academic advancement, and protection of their interests.

He noted that recent policies affecting education financing informed their support for the President.

According to him, the current administration’s initiatives, particularly the intervention through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, have provided relief to many students who previously struggled with tuition and upkeep.

He stated that the zero-interest loan policy had enabled hundreds of thousands of students to remain in school and pursue their academic ambitions, describing it as a practical demonstration of inclusive leadership.

Okpala also referenced comments attributed to former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi regarding the future of the student loan programme, arguing that such policies should be protected to sustain access to education.

He maintained that the students’ position was based on what they described as measurable impact rather than sentiment, stressing that policies that keep students in school and reduce financial burdens would always earn their support.

The coordinator added that students in the South-East would continue to rally behind initiatives that promote opportunity, strengthen education financing, and secure the academic future of young Nigerians ahead of the next election cycle.