Dalung Brands Senate "Bandits" amid Electoral Reform Protests
Last update: February 10, 2026
Disclaimer: This website may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. We only recommend products or services that we personally use and believe will add value to our readers. Your support is appreciated!
The protest follows lawmakers’ refusal to allow transmission of election results real time...
Former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung on Tuesday described Nigeria’s Senate as “bandits” while addressing protesters at the National Assembly Complex over lawmakers’ refusal to allow electronic transmission of election results.
Dalung accused the Senate of repeatedly undermining electoral reforms, warning that lawmakers would reverse any concessions made under public pressure.
“These bandits must be flushed out. Otherwise, even if the bill and the vote of proceedings are passed out of fear, they will still return,” Dalung told demonstrators. He said Nigerians had moved beyond issuing warnings and were asserting their authority over elected officials.
The protests followed the Senate’s decision last week to reject electronic transmission of election results, retaining provisions of the extant law under the 2023 Electoral Act.
In a related development, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno has moved a motion to rescind the decision on electronic transmission of election results in real time.
Lawmakers subsequently passed a new proposal for Clause 60(3), permitting the presiding officer to transmit election results electronically from each polling unit after Form EC8A has been duly signed.
Under the proposal, where electronic transmission fails or becomes impossible to use, Form EC8A shall serve as the primary source of election results, the Senate said.
