Politics
INEC’s Online Registration Commences Today
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Rivers State has announced that online continuous voters registration commences today, June, 28 and will last for about three weeks.
The INEC Resident Commissioner, Obong Effanga, made this known last Thursday (June 24, 2021), during press briefing in Port Harcourt.
Effanga also disclosed that July, 19, 2021 is slated for collection of voters’ card by those who successfully completed their online registration at the commission’s office.
He urged Rivers State residents between ages 18 and above to take full advantage of the online registration starting today, adding that Monday, July 19, physical collection of voters’ card by those who successfully finished their online registration would commence.
According to him, “Physical registration and collection of voters’ card for those without smartphone and codes to register online will commence by the same date, July, 19, 2021.
“We had at the end of 2019 election 84,004,084 million voters in Nigeria who had opportunity to vote in 119,974, polling units in the country, but INEC in the last two months decided to convert 56,872 voting points and voting point settlements to polling units nationwide to meet the number of registered voters and come up with a total number of 176,846 polling units in the country,” he added.
He stated that the continuous voters registration was an opportunity for those who were supposed to be in voters’ register but were not there as a result of their age and other factors, while urging them to take full advantage of the exercise now and register.
According to him, “It is also an opportunity for people who were not of age, who have changed their addresses and intend to vote in their new places to come for transfers to their current Local Government Area in the state.
Effanga advised those whose permanent cards are ready and need to pick up to do so to avoid congestion of collection centres towards election period.
”It’s also an opportunity for those who complain of wrong spelling of their names, Date of birth, among other information to come for corrections, those whose cards are not legible should also come for reregistration.
”The continuous registration would at least last for one year and we will start physical registration at the INEC offices for now for security purposes.
”Adequate provisions have been made by the Commission to carry out the registration process,” he added.
Effanga urged the public to beware of scammers or business owners who may want to use the opportunity to defraud them, saying that INEC did not endorse any business center for card registration.
He urged political parties, stakeholders, traditional rulers and most importantly, the media to do more on voters education in the state and the country at large, so that the general public is aware of the importance these exercises and in turn take full advantage of them.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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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