Politics
NASS: CDD Makes Case For Women
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), has called for the reservation of certain leadership positions for women in the 9th National Assembly.
CDD Director, Ms Idayat Hassan made the call in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Abuja.
“In the spirit of inclusion, women should be given some of the leadership positions in the national assembly.
“I personally do not understand why the emphasis is on geopolitical zones, the All Progressives Congress (APC) must accord women and youth positions in the leadership, ” she said
Hassan said the quest for gender equality would not be achieved without the implementation of the gender policy provision for 30 per cent in appointive positions.
She said that is the only way women representation would receive a boost in the new administration.
“The just concluded election has opened our eyes to the urgency of an affirmative action law to improve women representation in governance,” she said.
She said it is the only way to enhance the participation of women in governance.
Senior Programme Officer, CDD, Mr Austin Aigbe, said it is true that the number of elected women in the 2019 election declined.
Aigbe said the way to breach the gap in the proportion of women in governance would be through appointive positions.
“The clamour is with good intention.
“If political parties failed to enhance the representation of women through elective positions, the elected government, in this case, the APC must do the needful to close the gender gap in governance.
“Though, the advocacy supports 35 per cent affirmative principle, we should truly to set that as minimum standard of representation for women in Nigeria, ”he said.
According to Aigbe, the argument in the national assembly is that none of the elected female senators is a ranking member.
He faulted the claim saying Sen. Remi Tinubu is highly qualified and ranked.
“I have personally looked at the politics in the National Assembly, two leaders; the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“I think we can trade off, if Remi Tinubu is not contesting, it will make lots of sense to support another very ranking member of the House of Representatives.
“Ms Nkeiruka Onyejeoha, who is from the South East can contest for the position, ” he said.
Aigbe said that supporting Onyejeoha would be a game changer for the APC in the quest for balancing of the geo-political zone representation.
He said those at the helm of affairs in the house would be beneficiaries of Nigeria’s image in the global space in terms of gender representation in the parliament.
He said during the “change agenda” the APC government did not have good record of inclusion in governance.
“Now that it is Next level let the change begin,” 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.
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