Politics
ECOWAS Commission To Partner ECONEC For Improved Polls
The ECOWAS Commission has pledged continued collaboration with ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) to ensure that elections in West Africa continue to improve.
The President of the commission, Mr Jean-Claude Brou, made the pledge at a Symposium and 6th Biennial General Assembly of ECOWAS ECONEC in Abuja last Monday.
Brou said that the commission would continue to work with ECONEC until countries within the sub-region got to a point where electoral outcomes were accepted by all and electoral violence completely eradicated.
He said that ECONEC, under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had been a helpful partner of the ECOWAS Commission in the pursuit of its electoral assistance mandate to member states.
He said that with the support of ECONEC the region had witnessed a significant improvement in the way elections were organised and conducted in the sub-region.
Brou said, although notable achievements had been made, there were still challenges, such as the rising cost of organising elections in member states.
The high cost were in most cases in countries with low income, huge infrastructure deficits, failing healthcare and educational system and wide spread youth unemployment, he said.
“There is urgent need to harmonise the manner in which elections are conducted in our region, drawing from the best practices and taking into account the specificities of individual member states.
“I hope that going forward, ECONEC will assist us in exploring ways for achieving desired political convergence in West Africa,” he said.
On his part, Yakubu, the President of ECONEC and Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, identified funding as a critical issue for the future of ECONEC in spite of the fact that member states had fully paid their dues.
He expressed the network’s gratitude to bilateral assistance in terms of electoral logistics consistently extended by successive Nigerian governments to countries across the sub-region.
Yakubu appealed to ECOWAS to continue to strive to actualise the vision of establishing the electoral logistics depot at Lungi in Sierra Leone.
“This is a depot from which countries in need can draw such facilities and ballot boxes and trucks for movement or election materials without each country having to procure its own material with every election.
“This is achievable and in the long run will help to reduce the cost of elections in our sub region,” he said.
The highpoint of the event was the public presentation of two ECONEC books, titled; ` Cost of Elections in ECOWAS Region’ and `ECONEC Activities in Support of Credible Elections in West Africa’.
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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