Politics
Forum Decries Exclusion Of Women From Politics
The continued exclusion of women from politics and governance at all levels has been condemned by participants during a training on gender based civic and citizenship education organised recently at Ulakwo in Etche Local Government Area.
The training, which was organised for women of Rivers East Senatorial District by Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, CEHRD, with support from the Embassy of the Netherlands, Abuja was aimed at spurring women to know their rights and responsibilities as active citizens of the society.
According to the forum, women have the potentials to make the society great if they are involved in governance at all levels. Unfortunately, women have abandoned politics and governance for the men, believing it is men’s affair.
The participants agreed that women hardly contribute to discussions on issues of governance or politics. Even when they manage to join politics, they consign themselves to subservient roles rather than aspiring for leadership positions.
“They are comfortable with women leader position where they mobilise women and share clothing materials and other items to them,” they noted.
Lady Doris Onyeneke, a gender activist who facilitated the training, attributed the apathy of women towards politics to age long gender discrimination and stereotyping which ascribed leadership roles to the men while placing the women in the kitchen.
“Over the years, it became accepted, by both men and women that women have no business with leadership,” she said, adding that women are as well endowe with leadership acumen as the male folks.
‘‘They should therefore begin to unlock their potentials by joining politics or by aspiring for leadership positions,” she said and encouraged women to begin to participate in decisions making that affect their lives at all levels of governance.
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On his part, Styvn Obodoekwe, CEHRD Programme Director, while declaring the training open, stated that women’s apathy towards governance was worrisome.
He said when governance issues are raised, women often behaved as if it does not concern them.
He encouraged women to step out and join politics, saying that as citizens, it was their fundamental human right to participate in governance as they also have the right to associate with political associations of their choice.
Women have been silent for too long and that has given way for bad governance, which unfortunately affect women most,” he 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.
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