Politics
PDP Reps Score Buhari Low
The minority caucus in the House of Representatives has congratulated Nigerians for crossing into a New Year, urging them to face 2021 with greater optimism and faith despite the sour experiences of the last year.
The caucus noted the “vigour and intensity” of its legislative activities in 2020, while pledging to intensify all statutory activities especially, legislative oversight, to ensure prompt execution of projects that have direct bearing on the welfare of the people.
This is just as the Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the House criticised the regime led by the President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling party, APC, for mismanaging the affairs of the country.
The minority caucus, in a New Year message issued by the Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, charged government at all tiers to give more attention to youth development, education, health care, food security programmes, economic empowerment through job creation and support for hard-working entrepreneurs.
In a separate statement by the leader of the PDP caucus, Kingsley Chinda, titled, ‘We Must Remain Resilient and Patriotic,’ the opposition lawmakers said, “Our situation in Nigeria was further worsened by a poor and dwindling economy, now in the worst recession ever, and several incidents of kidnappings, killings and general insecurity across the county, occasioned by an inept, visionless, clueless and failed leadership of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.”
Meanwhile, former South-West Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Eddy Olafeso has asked for an end to all divisions within the party in the region.
The former Information Commissioner in Ondo State who stated this in his new year message signed by his Media Aide, Wande T. Ajayi in Akure, the state capital, lamented that the nation was sliding into its worst recession in 30 years.
“Our Party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), remains strong and better whilst a need to ensure unity amongst our people remains a priority. “
“Unity is critical in our resolve for future victories in coming elections. We have had enough of the wranglings amongst us and it will only endanger our chances in future elections.
“We must close ranks now. I beg all to sheathe swords and charge toward a common course.”
Olafeso also asked the nation to take lessons from the previous year, 2020.
“The previous year was filled with all sorts of surprises. From a pandemic, the deadly COVID-19, that ravaged the whole world to a protest that shook the core fibre of this country, the #EndSARS protests.
“We may have learnt our lessons never to see anything impossible and that our youths have resolved to seek a better future for themselves.
“The year, surely, has taught us so many lessons and I urge us to keep living safely while we hope for an end to the pandemic,” he said.
“I encourage our governments to make the empowerment of our youths their topmost priority.
“Our future is in their hands and we must strive to do all to keep it safe”, he said.
However, Olafeso also charged the Federal Government to do all within its might to take the country out of recession.
“Our country slides into its worst recession in 30 years and though the future looks bleak with the current crop of leaders at the helm, we can, however, hope on God for a better future while we pray our leaders to take extraordinary measures to take us out of this absolute poverty we have found ourselves as a nation.”
Olafeso said, “ In all, I pray that this year shall usher in blessings, joy, hope and peace to all in this country, Nigeria, the South West Zone, my dear Ondo State and my Party, the PDP.”
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.