Politics
Talk Less To Press, Lawan Tells Senators
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has cautioned fellow Senators against talking to the press in order not to misled the public.
According to Lawan, once an issue has been decided in the Senate, any lawmaker who is dissatisfied should approach his colleagues on the matter rather than talking to journalists.
The Senate President gave the admonition on Wednesday while speaking on a complaint by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, who faulted a TV interview by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Omo-Agege claimed that Abaribe alleged in the interview on Channels TV that the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators conspired to shortchange the host communities over the five per cent equity stake provision in the Petroleum Industry Bill that was passed into law on July 1, 2021, and subsequently assented by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Omo-Agege, who said there was no time the APC Senators conspired to reduce the five per cent equity stake proposed for the host communities of the oil-rich Niger Delta region, in the joint committee’s report, to three per cent, added that the 3 per cent adopted was a collective decision of the Senate.
But responding to Omo-Agege’s complaint in the absence of Abaribe, the Senate President said members of the 9th Senate do not vote along party lines even as he called on Senators to talk less to the press.
Lawan said: “When the Senate takes a decision, we should inform the public correctly because it is our duty to give the correct information to the public.
“I will encourage us to talk less to the press on ways that will not give the press a wrong impression. We should concentrate more on talking to our colleagues in the Senate.
“I would have loved to give the minority leader an opportunity to speak but this is a matter of privilege. I hope all of us have learnt a lesson or two from this.
“There is no point giving wrong information because we never vote along party lines, he added.
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.
