Politics
Crisis Rocks Bayelsa CNPP
Crisis is rocking the foundation of the once vibrant Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in Bayelsa State following attempts by its chairman, Sunday Frank-Oputu, to perpetuate himself in office by elongating his tenure.
The conference which had been providing a platform for oppositions in the state went into limbo soon after the pioneer chairman, Comrade Miriki Ebikibina left to become the leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
A faction of the CNPP led by its Secretary, Brisibe Kpodoh and the Organising Secretary, Owei Tongu is insisting that Frank-Oputu’s tenure expired last August, but the chairman has maintained that his tenure would elapse in February, 2011.
Kpodoh and Owei Tongu’s faction last Saturday convened a meeting in Yenagoa where it sacked Frank-Oputu and constituted a five-man electoral committee headed by the state chairman of Hope Democratic Party (HDP), Bonus Wombu, to conduct a fresh election for the body.
It was learnt that when Frank-Oputu got wind of the planned meeting, he sent threatening text messages to dissuade members from attending, warning that anybody who attended the meeting would not benefit from any largesse to the CNPP from its numerous sponsors.
One of the text messages, to journalists read: “Please, ignore the meeting called by Brisibe Kpodoh and Owei Tongu. They do not have the right to call for any meeting of CNPP without my approval as the Chairman. Please, note: anybody that attend such meeting shall not be part of any benefit due CNPP members. Strongly advised? Enough of this (sic) ingrates. Thanks. I’m watching.”
Kpodoh who confirmed the development said Frank-Oputu’s tenure ended last August and that he had refused every entreaty to inaugurate an electoral committee for members to seek fresh mandate.
Kpodoh, who is also the state Chairman of African Democratic Congress, explained that he and the Organising Secretary convened the meeting in order for CNNP to move forward, stressing that Frank-Oputu was peddling blatant lies by claiming that his tenure would expire in February next year.
“I’m a member of that executive. And I know that our tenure expired on 8 August. Frank-Oputu does not want to vacate the chairmanship because he has been using it to fraternise with Governor Timipre Sylva”, he said.
Kpodoh, noted that the situation had rendered the conference ineffective in its duty to keep the administration on its toes over the years.
He said Frank-Oputu had refused to convene a meeting because he wanted to continually use CNPP to line his pockets with government patronage.
But Frank-Oputu dismissed the claims of Kpodoh, maintaining that he remained the chairman of CNPP until 21 February, 2011.
According to him, officials of the national secretariat of CNPP who inaugurated him as chairman issued a certificate indicating that his tenure would expire next year, adding that he had announced the suspension of the Secretary and the Organising Secretary.
“Already, I have suspended Brisibe Kpodoh and Owei Tongu for calling a meeting without my approval”, he added.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.
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