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INEC Holds Mock Elections In Rivers, 11 Others, ’Morrow …Creates 35,000 Polling Units

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11 years ago

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Barring last minutes
change, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will tomorrow conduct mock voting sessions in 12 states of the federation to test-run the use of smart card readers, ahead of the March 28 and April 11 elections.
To this effect, the INEC chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, has deployed all National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in 12 states for the mock elections.
Two states in each of the six geo-political zones of the country have been selected for the experimental voting exercise.  They are: Ekiti and Lagos (South-West); Anambra and Ebonyi (South-East), Delta and Rivers (South-South); Kano and Kebbi (North-West); Bauchi and Taraba (North-East) and Niger and Nasarawa (North-Central).
Reports from INEC indicate that in each of the states selected for the mock election, some electoral wards with sizeable registered voters would be considered for the trial voting.
The essence of the mock elections, according to INEC,  is to enable the commission ascertain the functionality of the card readers, with a view to making necessary adjustments before the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections.
It will be recalled that the use of the card readers has been vehemently opposed by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the excuse that the device violates the nation’s electoral act which forbids electronic voting in the country.
A statement signed by the Head, Protocol and Publicity of INEC in Rivers State, Anthonia Nwobi, stated that the Registration Area Ward 1 Oromineke/Ezimgbu of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (PHALGA) in Rivers State will be used for the conduct of the mock elections in the state.
Nwobi also disclosed that the trial voting will take place in all the 23 units of ward 1 and the 19 voting points.
She urged all the registered voters in ward 1 of PHALGA to come our enmasse for the field test exercise.
“The planned exercise, which has been slated for Saturday, March 7, 2015 will start from 8.00am and would be carried our by 188 trianed INEC staff. This clarification process will be the replica of election day where smart card readers and permanent voters cards are expected to be used for the accreditation exercise,” she said.
Meanwhile, INEC has created additional 35,000 polling units ahead of the rescheduled general elections, it was learnt yesterday.
There are 120,000 polling units in the country. Attempt by the commission to increase it to 150,000 was received with mixed reactions, forcing it to drop the idea initially.
The Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Dr Chris Iyimoga, who broke the news of additional polling points, argued that the essence was to allow for ease of voting process.

 

Boye Salau / Iragunima Benice / Midred Jaja

APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside (right), addressing party supporters in Finima Community, during his ward rally in Bonny Local Government Area.

APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside (right), addressing party supporters in Finima Community, during his ward rally in Bonny Local Government Area.

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Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice

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22 hours ago

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April 2, 2026

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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.

 

 

 

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APC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide 

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1 day ago

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April 2, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the resumption of its electronic membership registration exercise across the country.

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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AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU  …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR 

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3 days ago

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March 30, 2026

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Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has declared that with the six South-South states now being controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the zone is set to return the highest votes cast for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
He stated this in Asaba, Delta State, at the party’s zonal congress, noting that the coming together of the governors of the region in the APC was made possible by its zonal Vice Chairman, Chief Victor Giadom.
Senator Akpabio also praised the outgone zonal chieftains of the party, saying they worked hard for the unity of the party and the zone.
“Now that we are complete and focused, we will be the geo-political zone in Nigeria that will turn out the highest votes in 2027 for President Tinubu.
“In the last 46 years or so, our region had not produced a senate president. But under President Tinubu, the South-South region is recognised. We thank the president for giving the South-South a senate president”, he said.
In his speech, the Bayelsa State Governor, and Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, Senator Douye Diri, described the APC adoption of the  consensus option for electing its officials as the best way to foster unity and consolidation in the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He expressed satisfaction that politically, the South-South zone now speaks with one voice under the APC, stressing the need for the region to be part of the decision-making process at the national level.
The governor recalled that when he contested for the governorship in 2019, the delegate election process for primaries in the political parties made the exercise rancorous, saying
the slogan then was that without delegates, there will be no governor, but that that has since changed with the consensus mode.
“I like to align myself with the previous speakers on the unity of the South-South zone. In this region politically, the South-South now speaks with one voice. This is important because of the strategic nature of the zone.
“If you are not on the sharing table, in terms of decision-making process, you will be left behind. We need to be united that we will not allow petty divisions among us.
“Let us work together for the unity and protection of APC in the South-South and God willing, all our candidates will come out tops in the 2027 elections. There cannot be anything better than a united family.
“Let me congratulate President Bola Tinubu for his remarkable achievements so far. Political events such as elective congresses like this were usually filled with rancour and violence. But, today, we have adopted the consensus model to produce our party executives from the wards to the regional level”, Senator Diri said.
In their goodwill messages, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and others all spoke on unity of purpose to be able to re-elect the President for a second term.
Meanwhile, Chief Victor Giadom was returned as the party’s zonal chairman alongside seven other zonal executives of the party.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, moved the motion for the dissolution of the immediate past zonal executive of the party and was seconded by his Bayelsa State counterpart, Abraham Ingobere.
In his remarks, the reelected zonal Vice Chairman, Chief Victor Giadom, said the gathering of the six governors of the region, lawmakers, ministers and other major stakeholders was an indication of the zone’s commitment to return all APC candidates in next year’s poll.
 By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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