Politics
Candidate Blames Voters’ Apathy On Unfulfilled Electoral Promises
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Adegbenga Opatimehin, has adduced unfulfilled electoral promises as reasons for electoral apathy in Nigeria.
Opatimehin, who is seeking to represent Obafemi Owode Constituency, made this assertion during a ward meeting with party members and electorate at Magboro Community in Lagos.
According to him, most promises made by politician at the pre-election stage do end after the post-election with no attention given to the pressing needs of the electorate.
“It is crystal clear that politicians do not fulfill their pre-election promises which has greatly affected their disposition towards coming out during elections.
“It has been the narratives of the politicians and we need to put an end to this if we want credible elections. When we engage the electorate, we seek for their votes through promises.
“After the election, we should not abandon those promises made to the electorate; they should be the bond between us and the electorate because they are taking us for our words.
“For us in ADC, we are trying to make sure that promises are kept, it should be sacrosanct. That was the basis of our engagement with them,’’ Opatimehin said.
He said that promises made especially to the rural communities should be taken seriously, adding that attention was often focused on development of urban areas at the expense of the rural communities.
“Judging from what we have in the past, most of the politicians do go to the rural areas to campaign for votes, but after that they will neglect those communities.
“It is not good enough that our rural communities suffer neglect and undeveloped and to make the matter worse, those communities are feeding us because they produce the agricultural products.
“We need to support the rural areas with agricultural implements, give them free education and also support the women with skill acquisitions.
“Just like ADC has promised, we will turn some abandoned housing projects in the rural communities to Technical Schools where they will be trained as artisans,’’ Opatimehin said.
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.