Politics
Stakeholders Decry Rigorous Voter Registration Process
As the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) continues to witness large turnout in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of Rivers State, some local government areas have lamented the rigorous process and journey to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”.
Stakeholders from Ikwerre, Emohua, Khana, Degema and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas decried the difficulty in moving to the INEC headquarters in their local governments from their villages and communities, appealing for remedial measures.
Some who spoke to The Tide over the weekend complained that the INEC local government headquarters is far from most of the villages and communities, as they urged the electoral body to bring the exercise close to some communities.
The Rivers State Chairman of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Deacon Princewill Enyi, said the INEC office is at Emohua, and villages like Akpobe, Elele Alimini,Obele,Ibaa, Egbeda and Ubimini are far from the local government area and it may cause some disadvantages for persons from the areas to conveniently register.
Enyi urged the commission to adopt a system whereby those who came from far distance could be attended to, avoid fear among others.
According to him,’’ if a person from Ubimini decided to register and he or she gets there and maybe he is attended to, it may be difficult for such a person to make another journey considering the distance.
“Such person’s experience may discourage others. We should also know that majority of those parcipating in the exercise are mostly those that had recently attained 18 years of age. Among this group of persons,majority still live under their parents and are sponsored by their parents’’, he said.
Also, the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)said already those from Woji,Rumuola, Rumueme and Oginigba are finding it difficult to move to the registration centre, adding that some who attended could not be registered due to crowd problem.
He urged the commission to see how it can consider some of the local governments that are large but commending the exercise and the time frame which will end in 2019.
According to him, this is a welcome development. “The commission is moving ahead with new innovations but they should consider local governments that have huge voters and larger populations’’.
‘’Obio/Akpor is large,it would be disappointing for someone coming from Rukpokwu, Eneka, Rumuolumini, Ogbogoro, Ozuoba to be going to Rumuokoro on daily bases. We plead that INEC should reconsider and give considerations to some local government due to their populations’’, he said.
Those at Kula and other oceanic areas are not left behind as they complained that the process of moving to Abonnema for the exercise is tedious.
It would be recalled that some party stakeholders had during the flag off, urged INEC to decentralize the process to enable the people conveniently access and participate in the exercise.
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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