Politics
Protesters Vow To Resist Return Of LG Chairman
Some 200 youths in Somolu Local Government Area of Lagos State on Monday defied an early morning downpour to protest against the Chairman of the council, Mr Gbolahan Bagostowe, over his second term ambition.
Bagostowe is seeking re-election in the local government polls in Lagos State, scheduled for October 22, 2011.
The protesters carried different placards and sang as they marched through some streets in the area and vowed not to allow the chairman to return to office.
The leader of the protesters, Miss Amen Ehis, told newsmen that Bagostowe had done virtually nothing during his first tenure, which was ending.
She said that the chairman only made claims to executing some projects in the media but that such projects never existed.
“There are no good roads, no functional health centres and no boreholes while market women face a lot of problems in the hands of local government staff, who demand so much from the traders,” she said.
Another protester, who chose to remain anonymous, alleged that the chairman diverted funds meant for use in the council to other areas and left residents to bear the brunt.
Bagostowe,however, told newsmen that the protest was sponsored by people who wants to mar his image ahead of the polls.
He said that he had demonstrated his stewardship and had projects to show for it and as such, he had won the confidence of his party for a second term bid.
“I have demonstrated my stewardship with many projects that I have done within the last three years in office and my party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) , has endorsed my candidature.
According to him, “the party hierarchy said that those first timers that performed should be allowed to contest for the second term.”
He said that he built and reconstructed nine primary schools out of the 18 in the local government area, namely, AgunbiadePrimary School, Olaoluwa Primary School and Baptist Primary School.
Bagostowe said that he also built a public health centre in the Akoka area, which offered 24 hours service, while two others were nearing completion in other areas of the local government area.
He said that he also built boreholes and tarred roads in many areas contrary to the claims of the protesters.
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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