Politics
Agboke Charges INEC Staff To Build On Commission’s Achievements
Dr Mutiu Agboke, who completed his five years’ tenure as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State last Wednesday, has urged INEC staff members to build on the commission’s achievements.
Agboke made the plea at a send-off programme organised for him by the commission’s staff members in Oyo State, in Ibadan.
While appreciating them for their cooperation and supports since he assumed office on Jan. 25, 2018, he urged the commission’s management to sustain the good collaboration with other major stakeholders.
Agboke attributed the successes recorded during his tenure to the support received from the management and the entire staff members.
“Our engagement with the stakeholders should be sustained. INEC activities should be transparent to the public and media should carry correct information about the commission.
“And of course, members of the public should know that the same trust they have in INEC should be there toward the 2023 general elections,” he said.
Agboke, also urged the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Oyo State, Alhaji Abiodun Amosun, to sustain the good programmes put in place during his tenure.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the occasion, Prof. Taiye Simbine, who was a National Commissioner of INEC, described Agboke as a blessing to the commission.
According to Simbine, Agboke has instilled discipline in the staff and made sure that they delivered the mandate of the commission at the state level.
The chairperson, who is also the current Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Ibadan, urged INEC staff members to be professional in the discharge of their duties.
She advised them not to patronise politicians/political parties, saying that INEC staff members must be seen as unbiased in discharge of their duties.
“When you are relating with political parties, it should be in furtherance of the objective delivery of the commission’s good, transparency, credible elections,” she said.
Also, Mr Dare Ojo, the Chairman of Inter- Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) in Oyo State, described Agboke as a leader per excellent, saying that IPAC had cordial relationship with him.
Ojo urged all the commission’s management staff to emulate the leadership style of Agboke so that the commission could continue to excell in its activities.
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.
-
Opinion3 days ago
Ozoro Festival: Tradition or Tyranny?
-
News3 days agoRSG Reiterates Commitment To Youth Dev
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoTranscorp Energy, Renewvia Partner On Renewable Energy Gap
-
Politics3 days ago
RIVERS WOMEN RALLY SUPPORT, CONTINUOUS PRAYERS FOR TINUBU
-
Politics3 days ago
AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR
-
Politics3 days ago
Viral 2027 Nomination Forms Price List Fake, Misleading – APC
-
Business3 days agoNSCDC Discloses Illegal Dump Site In Ikwerre Community
-
Business3 days agoYenagoa’s Radisson Hotel Ready December — NCDMB, Other