Politics
No INEC Staff Lost Hand – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in Rivers State says none of its staff lost his or her hand during last Saturday’s supplementary election for State and National Assembly in Etche and Omuma as reported by some sections of the media.
The Public Relations Officer of the commission, Anthonia Nwobi who stated this in a press statement last Saturday, said the supplementary elections took off on time in 80 per cent of all the units slated for the election except in some units where pockets of violence, physical attacks, snatching of ballot boxes and materials were recorded.
Nwobi noted that 745 staff of the commission deployed from, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers State returned safely.
She said an abducted staff was later released and that no staff lost his or her hands to thugs as reported by some media.
Meanwhile INEC said on Saturday that one of its staffers kidnapped during the legislative elections in Etche had been released.
The South South National Electoral Commissioner in charge of Edo, Bayelsa and Rivers, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, made this known while speaking to newsmen in Etche after monitoring the election.
She said the staffer was attacked and kidnapped while on the way to supply election materials to some polling centres.
Agbamuche-Mbu added that some members of staff attacked and injured during the election had been taken to the hospital.
She decried the increasing incidence of election violence in Rivers.
“We have decided that where elections are peaceful, we will collate results there; where there is violence, we will collate results at the INEC headquarter here in Etche,” she said.
Agbamuche-Mbu stated that INEC has always spoken of the need to take election violence seriously.
“And we are thankful that some of the thugs have been arrested and actually what we really want are those leaders who are behind them.
“These young men are sent out to disrupt the election and we must get those who are behind them,” the commissioner said.
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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