Politics
INEC Involved In 419 Cases – Chairman
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last week said that it had been involved in 419 court cases over election matters from 2016 to date.
Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said this in an interactive session with a group of civil society organisations under the umbrella of the Situation Room in Abuja.
“Between 2016 and 2017, till this week, we have appeared for 419 cases in four different courts; so, I will say that in the last two years INEC has been dragged to court 419 times.
“Conversely, 187 of them are at Federal and State high courts while 141 are at the Court of Appeal. Sixty-one of them are at the Supreme Court and two at the Industrial Court,’’ he said.
Yakubu said that the political atmosphere in Anambra was quite peaceful as compared to recent elections, adding that “up till today, we have no case in court on the nomination of any candidate’’.
He said that though the situation was unusual, it was rarely amazing in the context of litigation since the 2015 general elections.
The chairman said that 37 political parties were participating in the November 18 Anambra governorship election which was a record for any governorship election in the country.
He said that INEC monitored all the political parties primaries and that 35 of them complied with the rules except for two that changed their candidates after the primaries, which was not allowed.
He said that Anmabra had 21 local government areas with 326 wards, 468 polling units, 724 voting points and 2,154,738 registered voters, including 203,681 new registrants.
Yakubu said that INEC had printed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for all registered voters in the state and that the cards would be delivered to the state so that the process of collection could commence.
requested by the Albino Foundation to help them see the party logos.
He added that all funds had been provided and remitted to the state for the conduct of the election.
Yakubu reassured indigenes of Anambra of early commencement of election, adding that the commission had made provision for ad hoc staff to stay the night at the polling areas.
Earlier, the Convener of Situation Room, Mr Clement Nwankwo, said the meeting was organised in order to clear the concerns of civil society organisations regarding the election.
Nwankwo said that CSOs were concerned with the safety of the electoral materials, ad hoc staff and the people.
He urged INEC to allow the CSOs to have access to monitor the collation centres to enhance the credibility of the final results that would be announced.
He advised the commission to continue to monitor the ballot paper to prevent some political parties conniving with the printers to omit their names or party’s logo to cook up legal cases.
Nwankwo also urged political parties to abide by the rules and regulations of the commission in order to have a free and fair election.
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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