Politics
INEC Chairman Knocks Politicians, Adhoc Workers, Others
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, last Wednesday said that some wealthy politicians bought over some of the commission’s ad hoc workers and agents of other political parties to compromise the last general elections.
He also alleged that the politicians compromised traditional and religious leaders as well as community heads to persuade voters in their domains to vote in a particular way.
Yakubu made the allegations last Wednesday in Abuja at the Forum of Anti-corruption Situation Room, a programme organised by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda.
Also at the HEDA event were the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, and other stakeholders.
The INEC chairman, whose keynote address was read by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, said the politicians compromised security agents and some ad hoc staff of INEC who “looked the other way while votes were being bought and sold.”
He said the politicians and their agents devised various methods to compromise the electoral process.
Yakubu said: “One of the methods employed by the politicians and their agents was to buy up permanent voter cards of registered voters in the political safe haven of their opponents before the day of election.
“Politicians compromised traditional and religious leaders and community leaders by persuading them to persuade voters in their domain to vote in a particular way.
“In some instances, they persuaded willing ad hoc staff to abandon the use of smart card readers.”
The INEC chairman urged the various election petition tribunals across the country to prosecute proven cases of electoral offences, pending the establishment of a designated court for that purpose.
Meanwhile, the acting IGP explained that police personnel on election duties were under a rule of engagement which prevented them from bearing firearms around voting areas.
He said the constraint made it impossible for police personnel on election duties to confront armed political thugs who attacked voters and disrupted voting at some polling centres.
The police boss, who was represented by an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Peter Ogunyanwo, said: “Measures prescribed by the law to punish electoral offenders are not punitive enough to deter electoral offenders.”
“For instance, Section 308 of the Constitution confers immunity on sitting governors and their deputies when they commit offences.
“In some cases, the law prescribes a fine of N40 as punishment for people caught for unlawful possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons. So where do we go from here?”
Wabba, on his part, said electoral offences, including vote-buying, thrived because of the pervasive poverty in the land.
“Most voters could not resist monetary offers for their votes by desperate politicians. Look at a situation where some state governments pay civil servants, particularly teachers as little as N7, 000 as monthly salary.
“There is no way a compromised electoral process can produce transparent and competent leaders or good governance,” Wabba added.
The chairman of the event and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, said electronic voting remained the best solution to electoral malpractices.
He said Nigeria was ripe for it.
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.
-
News4 days ago
Decentralizing Pipeline Surveillance Poses Greater Dangers To Niger Delta …. Group Warns
-
Politics4 days agoAPC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide
-
Rivers4 days agoCourt Rules Out Interim Administration In Jumbo House, Bonny
-
Business4 days ago33 Banks Raise N4.65tn As Recapitalisation Ends
-
Politics4 days agoAlleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
-
Nation4 days agoNile University Hosts ICA Nigeria First National Confab On Global Communication
-
Sports4 days ago
Lewandowski Leads Top Stars Missing From W/Cup Roll Call
-
Sports4 days agoPara Games: Team Rivers Wins 53 Medals On Day 5 … Director Praise Athletes