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Bill On Council Electoral Commission Tabled
A bill for the establishment of the National Independent Local Government Electoral Commission (NILGEC) has been tabled before the Senate.
NILGEC will be responsible for conducting elections for the 774 local governments in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The proposed commission will consist of a chairman and six commissioners appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The chairman and commissioners will serve for a term of five years, renewable once.
The bill was sponsored by Senator Sani Musa, Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, APC, Niger East. The bill seeks to establish NILGEC as an autonomous body mandated to organize, oversee and conduct elections for the offices of local government chairman and councillors across all states.
According to the bill, NILGEC shall operate independently, free from external influence and interference. The commission shall have its budget, approved by the National Assembly, to ensure financial independence.
The functions and powers of NILGEC include the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections for local government chairman and councillors. The commission will prepare and maintain an accurate and up-to-date voter register. It will ensure voter education and public awareness regarding the electoral process.
NILGEC will set and enforce electoral guidelines and regulations for local government elections. The commission will recruit and train electoral officers and staff for efficient election management ². It will monitor and supervise all electoral activities and processes. The commission will investigate and adjudicate electoral disputes and grievances.
The bill states that NILGEC shall develop and implement procedures for voter registration, candidate nomination and the conduct of elections. The commission shall ensure the provision of necessary electoral materials and logistics for the smooth conduct of elections.
According to the bill, NILGEC shall announce the election schedule at least six months before the date of the election. Elections for the offices of local government chairman and councillors shall be conducted every four years.
The bill stipulates that NILGEC shall define and enforce penalties for electoral offenses, including but not limited to voter fraud, ballot stuffing and electoral violence. Offenders shall be prosecuted and punished in accordance with the laws of the land.
The bill states that NILGEC shall collaborate with other relevant government agencies, security forces and civil society organizations to ensure a secure and credible electoral process. Upon the establishment of NILGEC, all powers and functions related to the conduct of local government elections previously vested in any other body or authority shall be transferred to NILGEC .
The bill comes barely a week after the Supreme Court barred the 36 governors of the federation from further retaining or utilizing funds meant for the 774 local government areas in the country. The apex court ruled that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive and seize funds allocated to LGs in their states ².
Two Dead, Nine Injured in Brown University Shooting
Two students were killed and nine others injured after a gunman opened fire at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday, police said.
Authorities have detained a person of interest in his 20s, who is now cooperating with investigators.
The attack occurred around 4:00 p.m. local time (21:00 GMT) at the Holley Engineering Building on the eastern end of the university campus.
Police said the identities of the victims have not yet been released.
Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that all those affected, including the deceased, were students.
In a statement on Sunday, Paxson said parts of the campus remained restricted as police continued investigations.
She added that around 2,000 students were relocated to safe locations overnight and expressed gratitude to local residents who opened their homes to students.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said seven of the injured students were in stable condition, one was critical, and another had been discharged.
The mayor, who visited victims and their families in hospital, described their courage as “overwhelming” and confirmed that the shelter-in-place order issued earlier had been lifted.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said the suspect was detained at a hotel in Coventry early Sunday morning based on a lead from Providence Police.
Police Chief Oscar Perez confirmed that officers were no longer searching for additional suspects and were working closely with prosecutors to collect evidence.
President Donald Trump, speaking at the White House, expressed sympathy for the families of the two deceased students and wished a speedy recovery for the nine injured.
The shooting brings the number of mass shootings in the United States in 2025 to 389, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines mass shootings as incidents with four or more victims killed or injured, not including the attacker.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant as the investigation continues, while a vigil is scheduled for Sunday evening to support the Brown University community.
Bondi Beach Attack: 15 Dead, Father-Son Gunmen Behind Shooting
A mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Saturday left 15 people dead, including a child aged 10, during a Hanukkah celebration. Authorities are treating the incident as a terror attack.
Police confirmed the shooters were a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son.
The father died at the scene, while the son remains in critical condition.
The 50-year-old was a licensed firearms holder; six guns and two improvised devices were recovered from the site.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack “an act of pure evil”, saying it deliberately targeted the Jewish community, and promised full resources to support the investigation and combat antisemitism.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said quick response, informed by last year’s Bondi stabbing, helped save lives.
328 officers have been deployed to protect Sydney’s Jewish community, while two properties in western Sydney were searched overnight.
Among the victims was British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger. Eyewitnesses described the chaos, with some saying the gunfire felt like it lasted “an eternity.”
Authorities continue to investigate the attack as Australians reel from the tragedy.
Trump Reacts as ISIS Kills Three Americans in Syria
President Donald Trump has pledged a “very serious retaliation” after an ambush in central Syria on Saturday, killing two U.S. service members and one American civilian interpreter, an attack the United States blames on the Islamic State (ISIS) group.
In a statement and social‑media post, Trump described the assault near Palmyra—a region still volatile and not fully controlled by the Syrian government—as “an ISIS attack against the U.S. and Syria.”
He mourned the three victims as “great American patriots” and confirmed that three other U.S. soldiers wounded in the attack are recovering.
Speaking from the White House before departing for a public event, the president said he expected a firm U.S. response, noting that there will be “very serious retaliation” against ISIS and any group that targets American forces.
Trump noted that Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa, whose government has been cooperating with U.S. forces in counter‑terrorism operations, was “extremely angry and disturbed” by the incident.
The ambush occurred as U.S. troops were engaged in a counter‑terrorism mission alongside Syrian partners; the suspected attacker was killed by coalition forces, U.S. Central Command said.
The identities and units of the deceased are being withheld pending family notification.
Defense officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, echoed Trump’s stance, issuing stark warnings that the U.S. will pursue individuals or groups that target Americans.
The U.S. maintains a force of around 900 troops in Syria as part of ongoing operations against ISIS remnants, despite the group’s loss of territorial control years earlier.
The attack is the first fatal incident involving U.S. personnel in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, highlighting persistent security challenges and raising questions about the future scope of U.S. military engagement in the region.
Buhari, Power and the Burden of Integrity, by Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Two Dead, Nine Injured in Brown University Shooting
Bondi Beach Attack: 15 Dead, Father-Son Gunmen Behind Shooting
Pastor Jerry Eze Defends Miracles At UK Conference Amidst Criticism And Controversy
Diaspora Watch 20th Edition (October 14-20, 2024): Your Trusted Source for Global News and Insights
