Politics
‘Kwara Residents Pay N100 To Get PVC’
A group, Community Outreach Advocacy, Capacity Building and Health (COACH), has alleged that residents of Patigi pay N100 to register for their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC).
Founder of the group, Aisha Ahman-Pategi, said this on Monday in an interview with journalists in Patigi.
She alleged that potential voters paid the money to enable those in charge buy fuel to power generator for machines to register them.
She decried the inability of many residents of Patigi, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara, to register for their PVC in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ahman-Pategi regretted a situation where people in the community were made to pay certain fees before they could perform their civic responsibilities, a practice she said was alien in other areas.
The founder of the community outreach group stated that she had met with relevant stakeholders on the need to address the anomaly, to avoid people being disenfranchised.
She also faulted claims that Kwara North Senatorial District had low population, saying that the population of Patigi alone was more than 500,000.
She said; “The reason why we came up with this was when I came back from outside the country to register for my PVC.
“When I got here, what I saw really baffled me. Actually, it was quite disturbing, because the INEC office was not what I expected.
“People were lined up and they were paying N100 to register. Apparently, they have to pay N100 for diesel. That is disturbing.
“By the time I started asking the youth, everybody was saying we are going with President Muhammadu Buhari. They said they have tried, that there are a lot of issues going on.
“And I could see it, there is so much anger, and I said this is not right. Everybody in Nigeria has a right, just the way it is in Abuja where you don’t have to pay N100; it should be the same way in every community in Nigeria.
“So, when I went back to Abuja, I spoke to a few of our leaders in APC.
“I said this is what is going on, this is what I found, and obviously this is the time for me to come back home and see how I can impact, especially if I’m going to start, I need to start with my community, because for a long time, we haven’t been here.
“One of the arguments is that people from Kwara North are not that many. So, they are not making that much impact even when it comes to election. I said that is not true,” Ahman-Pategi said.
Contacted, the INEC spokesman in Kwara, Jacob Ayanda, debunked the allegation. “What I am aware of is that we asked our staff to bring machines they are using, so we can download the data.
“What is N100?, for what? What can N100 buy?, how many litres of fuel will N100 buy?,” Ayanda 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.