Politics
Imo APC Hails Congress As Okorocha Kicks
Imo State Local Government congress has been concluded successfully, Mr Hillari Eke, the state APC Chairman has said.
Eke who made this known in an interview with journalists in Owerri, Monday said there was no hitch during the process, adding that the election was for a particular people and not a general election.
However, Goveernor Rochas Okorocha of Imo and his supporters boycotted the congress and insisted that a fresh date for ward congress should be fixed before LG congress.
The governor, while addressing his loyalists last Sunday, announced that there would be no LG congress in the state until the crisis of the ward congress was rectified.
Okorocha also in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, last Monday in Owerri asked the loyal party members to relax , assuring them that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party would fix new dates for the ward and LG congresses of the party in the state.
He noted that the sensitive materials meant for the ward congresses of the party in Imo were stolen “making the exercise not to take place on Saturday.
“The National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun had also told Nigerians that the local government congresses of the party will be on hold pending the outcome of the report of the Appeal panel on Imo ward congresses.
“And since that public statement by the national chairman, he has not made any additional statement to that effect or any other statement in the contrary.”
It would be recalled that the APC congress election was fixed for last Saturday, but was latter postponed to Monday following an advice by the party national leadership over attack on party members and setting of the party office on fire by hoodlums.
Journalists who monitored the congress in some LGA’s in the state report that there was huge turnout and the process peaceful.
In Obowo, Ehime/Mbano, Onuimo, Owerri Municipal and Isiala/Mbano LGAs, the congress was successful with heavy security presence.
In Mbaitoli LGA, the officials arrived on time and the exercise commenced peacefully.
Speaking to newsmen, Chief Tony Amadi, who won the party chairmanship in Mbaitoli LGA said, “with this victory, I am now an authorized delegate of the party.”
In Ihitte Uboma, the congress commenced at about 8:45 am and ended at about 3:30pm.
A party faithful, Mr Emeka Ahaneku told newsmen that the process was peaceful.
“At Ihitte Uboma LGA, the congress of our dear party held”, he said, adding, “it was not disrupted by anybody.”
The state chairman, Eke described the congress as the smoothest that ever happened in the state.
“The party is supreme. Any party congress organized by the constituted authorities is final.
“We shall not repeat any other congress in the state. The party has the final say, not any aggrieved faction,” he 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.