By Our Correspondent
Barely after 24 hours after the two houses of National Assembly passed the Electoral Act Amendment,the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the apex parliament amendment on the passage of the Electoral Act 2022, describing it as a “treacherous betrayal” of Nigerians.
The PDP said the Senate and House of Representatives’ decision to dilute the mandatory electronic transmission of election results from polling units translated into a blow to democracy and electoral sanctity.

The party expressed disappointment with the lawmakers, saying they have shown disdain for the Nigerian people who voted them into office.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong Essien, the PDP described the excuses given for the amendment as “weak, illogical, and insulting to the’ intelligence of Nigerians,” adding that it is a clear attempt to create room for electoral manipulation.
The party accused the National Assembly of violating the foundation of legislative representation, which is anchored on mirroring the wishes of the majority of their constituents.

Also, the PDP condemned the restriction of party primaries to Direct and Consensus methods, saying it is a blatant intrusion into the internal affairs of political parties.

The party questioned the ruling party’s support for the amendment, describing it as a sign of fear of impending defeat in a free and fair election.

The PDP urged Nigerians, labour unions, and Civil Society Organisations to express their displeasure over the National Assembly’s actions and call for immediate reconsideration.
The party emphasised that democracy must not be allowed to decline due to retrogressive politicians masquerading as legislators.
The PDP vowed to continue fighting for proper electoral reform and transparency, warning that Nigerians will hold the lawmakers accountable for their actions.

By George Mgbeleke
Barely 48 hours to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that the conduct of credible elections is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders, as preparations reach their final stage for the February 21, 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, made this declaration on Wednesday at an enlarged stakeholders’ forum held at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja.
Addressing political party leaders, chairmanship candidates, security agencies, civil society groups, and members of the media, Amupitan emphasized that while INEC is constitutionally mandated to organize and supervise elections, the success of the process depends on the cooperation of all actors within the framework of the law.

The INEC Chairman disclosed that 1,680,315 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots across 2,822 polling units spread over the six area councils of the FCT. A total of 570 candidates will contest for 68 elective positions, comprising chairmanship and councillorship seats.

He described the FCT as a “microcosm of Nigeria,” noting that the council election is the only local government poll conducted directly by INEC, making it a benchmark for State Independent Electoral Commissions nationwide.
“Because Abuja is the seat of power and capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the attention of the entire country and the international community will be on this election,” he said.

Amupitan confirmed that the Commission has successfully implemented 11 out of the 13 activities in its election timetable. The only outstanding items are the conclusion of campaigns — which must end at midnight on February 19 — and Election Day proceedings.

He revealed that 106,099 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were collected following the suspension of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise in October 2025, describing the turnout as evidence of strong public interest in the electoral process.
INEC accredited 89 domestic and foreign observer groups and 700 journalists from 72 media organizations to monitor and cover the election.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT, assured residents of robust security arrangements, including the deployment of personnel to identified flashpoints to guarantee voter safety.

INEC also confirmed the deployment of:
11,873 polling officials
282 Supervisory Presiding Officers
68 Registration Area Supervisors
208 technical support staff
192 collation officers
For logistics, the Commission will deploy 1,132 vehicles, 620 motorcycles, and 14 boats, particularly to riverine areas of Abaji Area Council.

Amupitan stressed that election materials and personnel would be moved to Registration Area Centres (RACs) ahead of Election Day to ensure polls commence promptly at 8:30 a.m.
“Our benchmark for success is simple — timely commencement, peaceful conduct, transparent result management, and prompt declaration of results,” he stated.

The INEC Chairman assured stakeholders that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has been upgraded and deployed to all polling units, including 195 split polling units, with an additional five percent backup devices available, he added BVAS Upgraded, Results to Be Electronically Transmitted.

A mock accreditation exercise conducted in 289 polling units yielded satisfactory results, boosting confidence in the system’s reliability. Results, he added, will be uploaded through the Commission’s Result Viewing Portal in line with established procedures.

Amupitan raised concern over vote trading, describing it as a major threat to electoral integrity. He called on the Nigeria Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intensify efforts in arresting and prosecuting offenders.
While noting commendations received for the recent Anambra election, he stressed that the FCT poll must surpass previous standards,
“INEC does not arrest or investigate. We rely on security agencies, he emphasize the commission “Zero Tolerance for Vote Buying”.
He however, noted that the commission legal department is ready to prosecute once investigations are concluded,” he said.

Speaking at the forum, FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Aminu; Supervising National Commissioner, Mallam Haruna Kudu; representatives of political parties under the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC); and the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Samson, commended INEC’s level of preparedness.

They urged voters to turn out peacefully and called on the media and observers to remain professional and objective in their duties.

Daily Echoes Media can confirm the key statistics that will determine the FCT polls as follows:

Registered Voters, 1,680,315
Male, 909,912
Female, 770,403
Persons with Disabilities, 3,000
Polling Units, 2,822
Registration Areas, 62
Elective Positions, 68

As the FCT heads to the polls on Saturday, INEC reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a free, fair, and credible election, urging political actors and voters alike to play their part in strengthening grassroots democracy.

By David Owei,Bayelsa
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‎The organizers of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament christened the Prosperity Cup, say they are pleased with the progress of the State referees in the last few years of the tournament.
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‎Director General of the tournament, Mr Ono Akpe gave the thumbs up while speaking at the opening ceremony of the referees refresher training programme at the Golden Tulip Resort and Apartments, Onopa, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
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‎The Director General, who was represented by the Deputy Director General of the tournament, Mr Perela Aboro, noted that the training exercise has continued to improve the capacity of the state referees, pointing out that the dream of the tournament is to see Bayelsa excel at the global stage.
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‎According to him, the state referees are receiving international recognition as a result of the continuous investment on the umpires, urging them to discharge their duties during the tournament with utmost professionalism.
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‎He explained that five Bayelsa-born referees are in the Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL, 12 in the Nigeria National League and five in the Nigeria Women Football League NWFL, maintaining that the quality of officiating has improved since the introduction of the refresher training.
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‎Also speaking, Acting Director of Sports, Mr. Aye Andrew, while expressing gratitude to the organizers of the tournament for the laudable initiative, charged the referees to make good use of the opportunity,
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‎Chairman of the Bayelsa State Football Association, BSFA, Barr Porbeni Ogun, who was represented by the secretary of the Association, Mr. Diseye Nwankwe, remarked that the refresher course was not just an event but an investment in the future of football in the State.
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‎While commending the organizers of the tournament for the exercise, the Bayelsa State Football Association boss noted that since the commencement of the refresher training for referees, complaints of controversial officiating have reduced in the tournament.
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‎He explained that the exploits of the state referees outside the shores of Bayelsa State was indicative of the huge steps taken by the Prosperity Cup organizers for umpires in the State to compete favourably with their peers outside the state..
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‎Speaking in an interview shortly after the end of the theoretical session of day one of the training programme, CAF instructor and member of the NFF Referees Committee, Chukwudi Chukwujekwu, emphasized that the refresher course would significantly enhance officiating standards in line with global best practices.
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‎He appreciated the organizers for their efforts and encouraged other states to adopt similar training programmes to improve refereeing nationwide, stating that the exercise would give referees new directions when the competition begins.
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‎Richman Otiti and Rachel Onyekwere, who participated in the training programme, acknowledged that the exercise introduced them to new laws of the game, some of which would take effect in June.
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‎The duo expressed gratitude to the organizers for updating them with the latest officiating rules and ensuring that they remained competitive with their counterparts across Nigeria and beyond.
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‎The theoretical session of the training programme was immediately followed by a practical session at the Government House pitch. The programme continues tomorrow, Wednesday, February 18, 2026.