Politics
Forum Advises Apiafi To Drop Third Term Bid
The Abua/Odual Aware
ness Forum, a socio-political group has advised member of House of Representatives, Hon Betty Apiafi to drop her third term ambition.
The Forum said it took the stand to ensure equity and fairness, noting that Hon Apiafi, representing Abua / Odual and Ahoada East Federal Constituency, has failed to represent the constituency effectively.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the group’s general congress meeting in Port Harcourt, the President of the Forum, Chief Obaghama E. Dighobo said there is common understanding that no one ethnic or local government should spend more than two terms of eight years.
“We need not only to put forward our best and brightest candidate as our House of representative flagbearer for Abua/Odual and Ahoada East Federal Constituency, but a candidate that is without blemish, a candidate that is untainted by obvious reason of equity and fairplay, and one who must attract wealthy support from the two local government areas based on antecedent, Dighobo said.
He noted that the association would adopt Jehovah’s witness house to house method of mobilization of Abua / Odual people to thwart her dream if Hon Apifa failed to step down her third term ambition.
“Our mobilization will far go beyond billboards to ensure that she does not have votes both at primaries and the general election day, if she did not drop the ambition.
According to him, the organization has resolved to support any creditable candidate that would come from Ahoada East, preferable Dame Beatrice Olunwo.
The President stated that equity, fairplay and efficient representation cannot be sacrificed on the altar of loyalty.
He remarked that loyalty to the authorities of PDP to give her third term ticket would be detrimental to the people of the constituency.
Mindful of this reality we publicly advice Hon Apiafi to allow the people of Abua/Odual and Ahoada East local government areas, to produce their candidate who will represent them at the House of Representative, come 2015, he added.
Tonye Orabere
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.