Politics
Body Mobilises 1m Votes For Ayade
A pressure group in Cross River State,‘Code 888’, which comprises mostly of youths, has vowed to mobilise over one million votes for the re-election of Governor Ben Ayade in the March 2 polls.
Director General of the group, Mr Maurice Nkong, said this on Friday in Calabar during the flagging off of the Polling Unit 2 Polling Unit (PU2PU) campaign.
Nkong explained that the one million votes would also play a part for the People’s Democratic Party and it presidential candidate to emerge victorious at the polls.
According to him, the objective of the group is to pursue the equitable distribution of power across the 3 Senatorial Districts of the state for political stability.
He added that the essence of the mobilisation was due to Ayade’s massive achievements in the past three and a half years, especially in the areas of industrialisation and job for the youths.
“As we are moving to the field, we have a target for a million vote for Gov. Ayade and every other PDP candidate including the Presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.
“We are doing Atiku, we are doing Ayade and our target is 1million out of 1.5million votes in Cross River and we have vowed to deliver. (Cross River has 1,527,289 voters for 2019 election, according to INEC). That is why we are going with the polling unit 2 polling unit approach.
“We know that votes cannot be bought with placards on the streets or with billboards, votes can only be bought on the minds of the people and we are packaging the truth together and when we sell the truth, the truth will rise in it.
“So, we are going to every polling unit to tell them what the government has done and why they should vote Ayade and Atiku Abubakar.”
Nkong, who defined the concept of Code 888, said that since 1999, power began in the Southern Senatorial District where Mr Donald Duke did eight years and Sen. Liyel Imoke from Central took the next eight years after Duke.
He added that Ayade, from the Northern Senatorial District, who is pursuing industrialisation agenda in the state in his first tenure, should also be supported to complete his 8 years for equity, fairness and justice.
On his part, Coordinator, PU2PU, Mr Daniel Obo, said they are working to ensure that their vote counts, alleging that the PDP voting strength in Cross River was far better than that of other parties.
“We know that on ‘one man, one vote’ basis, Ayade will win and so we are going to the field to be sure that our vote counts. We are going to the field to be sure that there is no rancour in the course of the elections.
“In the entire voting strength of the State, PDP has the highest voting number and we are going to consolidate on that.
“Ayade has given us an opportunity as youths to be part of his government and we make up 80 per cent of the voters, so we are going out to be sure that this 80 per cent votes appreciate Ayade for getting youths involved in government,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Senior Special Adviser on Political Matters to Ayade, Dr Peter Ojie, while urging the teeming youths to seize their moments, lauded Code 888 for their orderly organisation and conduct.
Ojie advised them against being used by politicians, saying that the days where young people were used and dumped during elections are gone.
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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