Politics
CSOs Proffer Solutions To March 9 Polls Manipulation
Ahead of Saturday’s elections, two civil society organisations say ensuring electoral justice is critical to peaceful and fair poll in the country.
Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Mr Auwal Musa-Rafsanjani and Chairperson, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Dr Abiola Akiyide-Afolabi stated this on Tuesday in Separate media interviews in Abuja.
Reacting to incidents of violence, killings, snatching of ballot boxes and vote-buying during Feb. 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections, the activists said that to guard against a repeat, all stakeholders must comply with electoral guidelines.
Musa-Rafsanjani said that once there was electoral justice, there would not be any attempt to rig the election, and “we will have a violent-free poll’’.
“Where the problems come usually is when there is the determination, effort and demonstration of rigging and blocking, repressing voters and intimidating them; that is where the problem usually comes.
“We believe that if there is electoral justice, if the parties and members comply with all the rules and regulations of the electoral guidelines, we will not have violence,” he stated.
Also, Akiyode-Afolabi said that there was the need for security agencies to employ strategies to gain the confidence of the people by being professional and non-partisan in their conduct.
According to her, they must ensure that people cast their votes without any form of intimidation.
“So, there is the need to gain the confidence of the people, because it is most likely we have a reduction in the voters’ turnout due to the violence in the last elections,” she said.
The TMG boss, who said that security agencies should adopt proactive approach rather than reactive, called on INEC to build Nigerians’ confidence on free, fair and credible elections.
“We don’t need military intervention, because the people are not comfortable with the role the military played in the last elections, especially in Rivers.
“However, the military can be on standby against those who may want to foment trouble,” she advised.
Akiyode-Afolabi acknowledged that the South-South, especially Rivers had history of electoral violence, and advised that security agencies should strike the balance in securing the area in order to avoid militarisation of the elections.
“We also must understand that the terrain is a tough one, militarising the election in that area has not helped.
“It will only complicate the matter, but security agencies must find a way of ensuring that they gain the confidence of the people back.
“And, I think what they did in the last election was to focus more on responding than preventing violence,” she 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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