Politics
PDP Warns APC Against Dictatorship
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has admonished the All Progressives Congress (APC) to desist from drifting from democratic norms to autocratic regime.
PDP in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, PDP National Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye,decried what it called “untoward, unconstitutional and indiscriminate arrest and detention of PDP members and supporters nationwide on phantom charges by the government of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
The PDP narrated that on the 4th of February, 2017, the Chapter Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State, Salisu Mamuda, was arrested for criticizing the Jigawa State Government against spending the sum of N400,000,000 (four hundred million naira only) to entertain defectors from PDP to APC.
The leading opposition political party complained that Nigerians will also recall that a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State during the 2015 guber election was arrested by men of the Directorate of State Security Service (DSS) on February 17, 2017, on account of exposing the Forex racketeering by the APC-led government at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
It further protested that on March 3, 2017, a PDP chieftain in Kogi State, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed,was arrested on trump-up charges and detained illegally for criticizing the wrong policies, misgovernance and nonperformance of Governor Yahaya Bello.
“Just yesterday, April 9, 2017, Mr. Austin Usman Okai, a PDP youth leader and frontline critic of the Yahaya Bello’s APC-led Government in Kogi State was arrested by men of the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squard (SARS) on phantom petitions by some cronies of the Governor,” PDP stated.
“There are also reports of indiscriminate arrest and detention of citizens of this country in Kaduna, Edo, Nasarawa, amongst others at both the federal and state levels controlled by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“These actions of the ruling party, the APC, is absurd, disheartening and a serious threat to our hard earned democracy. Nigerians cannot and should not be arrested and detained indiscriminately for criticizing and holding government accountable. Constructive criticism is the primary responsibility of opposition in a democracy all over the world and Nigeria cannot be an exception,” PDP declared.
“We have also been alerted to the news of the Federal Government of Nigeria planning to tap mobile telephone lines and hacking of other devises of citizens as a way of harassing and intimidating them into silence.
“These and other unholy practices of this administration will, henceforth, be resisted by all Nigerians. We will mobilise Nigerians at all levels to fight against the use of arms in a democratic system to ridicule and intimidate citizens of this Country. We will no longer tolerate this high handedness of the APC and we, therefore, demand the unconditional and immediate release of Mr. Austin Usman Okai and all our members in several detention centers of security agencies across the Country,” PDP further declared.
”Finally, we wish to use this medium to inform world leaders on the serious issues of human rights violation in Nigeria since the APC Administration took over power in May 29, 2015. We call on all civil rights organization across the Country and in the Diaspora to rise to this occasion. Our democracy is in serious danger and the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) must be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order as a result of these undemocratic behaviours,” the Party summed up.
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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