Politics
CSOs Flay Abuse Of Supplementary Electoral Process
The Nigeria Civil Society (NCS) Situation Room has condemned the abuse of the electoral process by politicians in last Saturday’s supplementary elections.
Convener of the coalition of over 70 Civil Society Organisations (CSO), Mr Clement Nwankwo, condemned the act in a statement in Abuja.
Recalled that the supplementary elections were conducted in Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Sokoto and five Area Councils of the FCT.
“The Situation Room is concerned about abuses of the electoral process and the violence that trails it.
“This is inspite of the deployment of top-level police officials, including a Deputy Inspector General (DIG), three Assistant Inspectors General and Commissioners of Police.
“ In the previous elections, the state commissioners of police took charge without senior level officers,” he said.
Nwankwo said that it was therefore, ironic and curious that the level of violence and political thuggery would occur with the quantum of senior police officers deployed.
He said that the situation room had always advocated against redeployment of commissioners of police ahead of elections.
He said that the group was also concerned about reports emanating from the Kano State supplementary elections that indicated serious violence.
According to him, that there is extensive use of thugs to perpetrate electoral malpractice, intimidation and violence .
Nwankwo said that the situation room condemned the actions of political parties in the build up to the supplementary elections and on election day.
He said that reports received, showed massive deployment of thugs and party agents to polling units.
He said that in Gama ward, Nassarawa Local Governmenta Area, large number of thugs were seen intimidating voters, observers and even INEC officials around the polling units, unchecked, despite the presence of security personnel.
He said there were also incidents of high deployment of un-accredited party agents to polling units who aided the disruption of the voting process.
The convener said reports also showed that there were high incidences of vote buying facilitated by thugs and party agents.
He said that the trend was seen particularly in Gama ward, Kano.
Nwankwo also said that there were reported cases of attempted inducement of observers with cash.
He recommended that in the light of the widespread violence in the areas where INEC had conducted supplementary elections in Kano State, INEC should discountenance the supplementary elections.
This ,he said, was especially where violence occurred and the commission should proceed to make a declaration on the basis of the polls already concluded.
Nwankwo said that this was because the country would be in no mood to accept the conduct of another supplementary election on the back of a supplementary 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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