Politics
Enugu PDP Conducts Chairmanship Primaries
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last Saturday conducted primary elections for its chairmanship aspirants for the December 10, 2011, local government elections in Enugu State.
The Tide gathered that the elections were devoid of violence in the local governments within Enugu metropolis and in Nsukka where correspondents visited.
The elections came on the heels of days of consultations between Governor Sullivan Chime and PDP stakeholders from the various local government areas during which grey areas were ironed out.
In the Enugu North LGA, Mr Emeka Ede, the Deputy Chairman, beat eight others to win the chairmanship ticket of the party.
Ede, a native of Ogui Nike, picked the ticket with 187 votes out of the 199 votes cast.
Mr Nestor Ochin, the Chief Returning Officer of the election in the local government said that it was relatively peaceful.
According to him, the eight other contestants stayed away from the election venue, paving the way for the vice chairman to poll the highest number of votes.
“It was only Emeka Ede who was here present among the nine contestants. Others did not step down for him but they were not present to even make their minds known.”, Ochin said.
“Having gotten the highest votes cast, Emeka Ede was declared the winner of the election,’’ he said.
On his part, Ede thanked God for His grace and his people for the opportunity to serve them again.
He said he would follow the good works of the government of Enugu State by focusing on infrastructural development, human capital development and peaceful co-existence among his people.
The deputy chairman pledged to involve his fellow contestants who did not get the ticket in his government if he became the chairman of the council.
In the Enugu South Local Government Area, Mr Nwabueze Okafor, the incumbent chairman, won the primary with 264 votes out of the total valid 274 votes to defeat three other contestants.
Similarly in Enugu East Local Government Area, Mr Cornelius Nnaji won the party’s ticket for the chairmanship seat.
Nnaji, who is from the royal family of the Nike clan, contested with 13 other aspirants who stepped down for him.
In Nsukka, following the stakeholders’ meeting, the incumbent Chairman, Mr Tony Ugwu, was returned unopposed.
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.
