Politics
Don Wants Social Security For Nigerians
A former Dean of Political Science, University of Lagos, Prof. Adele Jinadu has called for the establishment of social security for Nigerians.
Prof. Jinadu made the call while delivering the Fifth Annual Law and Social Development Lecture organised by a Lagos-based law firm, recently.
Our Correspondent reports that the lecture was entitled:”Social Security: Taking the Lives of Nigerians Seriously”.
The former dean said that the security threat posed by the Boko Haram sect might have resulted from the absence of social security.
He said, “Indeed, there is a strong correlation between social security and state capacity; the weaker social security is, the weaker the state capacity.
“The stronger the social security, the stronger the state capacity also will be.
“Social security provides an important constitutive foundation for the social trust which is vital for engendering and sustaining state capacity.”
The Political Scientist urged that government policies should be geared toward improving living standards by raising persistently low incomes.
The don further urged that Nigeria must move away from an elitist view of democratic politics and governance to a more inclusive, participatory and populist one.
“This means that Nigeria must embrace and practice politics as the pursuit of the public interest using the instrumentality of the state as the leading and principal force to provide social development for empowering Nigerians.
“Doing this will require strengthening political freedom, providing abundantly for economic facilities, creating social opportunities, checking arbitrariness and abuse of power by public authorities and giving a human face to governance,” he said.
Jinadu blamed Nigeria’s problems on alleged lackadaisical attitude of the country’s professionals in the affairs of the country.
“Nigeria is where it is today because the country’s professional (middle) class continues to shy away from its social responsibility.
“They have collaborated, in many instances, and unconsciously so, with the country’s public authorities and political class in the rape of democratic politics in our country.
“Our professionals must stand up against new forms of incipient and creeping authoritarian rule in the deceptive garb of democratic politics.
“To do so, they must give uncompromising expression to voice and become politically active through organised public engagement on public issues,” he said.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the convener, Mr Bamidele Aturu, said that the lecture was aimed at addressing socio-economic and political problems of Nigeria.
Aturu said that Nigeria’s poor performance in the Ibrahim Foundation’s African Governance Index released on October 15 should motivate its citizens to demand for more accountability from their leaders.
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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