Politics
Buhari’s Supporters Warn Against Removing Jega
The umbrella body of all
voluntary groups working for the election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, Buhari Support Organisation (BSO), has warned against the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Attahiru Jega.
The group said any attempt to change the leadership of the INEC would amount to tampering with the credibility of the elections and the independence of the commission.
Addressing a news conference in Abuja yesterday, BSO’s Director of Media, Dr. Chinda Maduekwe, said the campaign against INEC by paid commentators and supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan was aimed at scuttling the general elections and returning the country to the days of June 12 when the election of Chief M.K.O. Abiola was annulled.
He alleged of a possible legal plan to consolidate several cases about the elections and candidates still pending in court, by pro-Jonathan groups that might seek injunctions to stop the elections until such cases are resolved.
Madueke said part of the propaganda would be to force the INEC Chairman to resign or be forced to proceed on terminal leave and be replaced by another northern Muslim Professor, who will carry out the bidding of the government and its agents.
According to him, “it has become imperative to ask Mr. President to rein in his aides if he must be seen to walk his talk that his ambition is not worth any spill of human blood. His aides and associates are disingenuously currently working at cross – purposes to this his favourite cliché by daily fanning the ambers of hate, pursuance of death with and even going as far as stalking GMB outside the shores of this country”.
The group insists, “We certainly shall not subscribe to any script that is centred on how to oust Jega by forcefully sending him on terminal leave and replacing him with another Northern Muslim professor considered to be a more pliable successor. Such a scenario demanding for more time to enable the new commission chair to settle down before holding any elections is another shifting of the goal post.
“The worse would be the push to stop INEC from using the new electronic PVC – Card readers, thereby allowing unfettered access to intended election – day fraud without deterrence.
In tandem with above scenario, we are presently being bombarded with multiple pro-government TV and radio talk show commentators and apologists strenuously mould public opinion on the issue that INEC has not tested the card reader in any previous local election and should not use the presidential and National Assembly polls to do so”.
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.