Politics
Reconnect With Women, Youths, Ayu Tells PDP Women Leaders
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator. Iyorchia Ayu, has urged party women leaders to reconnect with women and young people at the grassroots.
Ayu, while speaking at the PDP zonal and State Women Leaders meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, said that without women and youths at the grassroots level, it would be difficult to win any election.
“I want all of you State Women Leaders and Zonal Leaders to lay emphasis on the ordinary woman at the grassroots level. That is where the votes are.
“It is only by mobilising that class of people that we will achieve victory because. I believe women constitute at least 55 per cent of the population if not more.
“Therefore, if we don’t mobilise them properly or you isolate and classify yourself as privileged woman the party will not make any progress.
“Reconnect with the grassroots because the woman and young people are the one that make us win elections,” he said.
He said that PDP must not be a party only in expensive hotels, adding that ordinary citizens at the grassroots must be carried along.
Ayu, said that women were critical to PDP winning 2023 general elections, noting that he was already canvassing that PDP governors should carry them along.
He urged women to come together to play active role in the 2023 general elections and fight for available positions.
He said that the women have the right to contest for every position in the country including the President’s office.
‘ We have a situation where in future maybe 50 per cent of appointive or elective positions will be women.
“For this to happen, you have to fight for it. I want all of you to try to visit the history of women struggle in other countries”, he said.
“Let ordinary woman participates. The party should not be a party of glamorous woman. We welcome glamorous women who are ready to work with ordinary people,” Ayu said.
PDP National Women Leader, Prof. Stella Attoe, said the meeting was meant to articulate how women could form a formidable force with youths and men to win the 2023 general elections.
“Rescuing and rebuilding Nigeria not the agenda of the male folk only. We, as women must come out and play our own parts along with the male folk in getting this country rebuilt,” she said.
The party’s National Youth Leader, Mr Muhammed Suleiman, said that it impossible to play politics without women.
Suleiman urged the women leaders to relate well with the grassroots and help to communicate the party’s objectives and programmes to the ward level. (NAN)
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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