Politics
RevolutionNow Protest, Sign Of APC Failure -PDP
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the ‘RevolutionNow’ Protest planned to take place across the country on Monday is a sign of failure on the part of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government.
Spokesman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Kasim Afegbua stated this when he appeared as guest during a national television programme monitored by The Tide in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Recall that activist and Presidential Candidate of the African Alliance (AA) in the 2019 general elections, Omoyele Sowore, had called for a nation-wide anti-government protest against the President Buhari government; thought the publisher of radical online newspaper ‘Sahara Reporter’ was arrested by operatives of Department of State Services (DSS) ahead of the protest scheduled on Monday.
But condemning the arrest of the activist, Afegbua stated that a momentum was gradually building in the minds of many Nigerians to protest perceived wrongdoings of the incumbent apex administration and to press for their demands.
“So ‘RevolutionNow’ has become a word that is common in the mouth and hearts of the people. So far me, I think it is the failure of governance that is leading to this.
“Failure of governance which has led to insecurity, job loses, hunger, poverty, deprivation, name them…If things were right, if the APC could seat and provide governance and govern the country very well, people will not be agitating for things like ‘RevolutionNow’,” he stated.
Afegbua observed that the planned protest may not have garnered the expected turnout, following the convener’s arrest, but said that “In the minds and heart of hearts of Nigerians, they are making a very strong statement about their displeasure over the mis-governance in the last four years.”
He expressed dismay that with another tenure of the current administration beginning, the country is still ‘rotating on the same axis’, pointing out that it was time the government took concrete and sure steps to turn around her fortunes.
According to him, “The APC government appear so confused and clueless to the extent that there are no critical interaction, no conversation across board, no dialogue on sensitive national issues. There are crises in the country. There is hunger, poverty everywhere, deprivation, internally displaced persons, insecurity everywhere, kidnapping and all that.
“What is the APC led federal government doing in terms of concrete steps to put these issues on the front burner and articulate roadmap that will take us out from these shelve?
“We are saying that for a country that is as multi-religious and multidimensional like Nigeria seating on a delicate balance you need to begin to encourage conversation. We don’t want monologue.
“The other day they told us Atiku Abubakar was issuing statement of congratulation to Boris Johnson (New UK Prime Minister), because of that it is treasonable felony. Sowore is talking about RevolutionNow because of that you are talking about treasonable felony.
“It is because there are failures and these failures are so visible that you can see it without any prompting. So for me APC needs to seat down, get its acts right and govern and provide leadership,” the PDP Presidential Campaign spokesman said.
Dennis Naku
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.