Politics
PDP Crisis: Atiku Gives Condition For Ayu’s Exit …As Makinde Insists Nat’l Chairman Must Go
The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday, gave conditions for the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, saying it must be done in accordance with the party’s constitution, rules, regulations and practice.
Atiku said: “We cannot do anything outside our constitution except if it is amended. We cannot do anything unless the laws are amended.
“Ayu must go through our constitution, rules, regulations, and our practice, otherwise we cannot give the kind of leadership Nigerians want.
“It is possible, it is achievable, we have done it before and we have started doing it again.”
Atiku disclosed this at the PDP Southwest stakeholders meeting held at the popular Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University Teaching Hospital, UCH, Ibadan.
He was reacting to the decision of the region, which called for the resignation of Ayu at the meeting.
Atiku, therefore, urged PDP members not to allow the issue to derail them from working hard to win the next general elections.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state had earlier conveyed the message of the region to the party presidential candidate; that Ayu must resign to give room for fairness and equity.
He said there were issues on the structural deficiency in the party to be addressed before the 2023 election.
“If we want to unify Nigeria, we must unify PDP first. If we want government of national unity, it must reflect in PDP. If we want to restructure in Nigeria, we must restructure PDP first.
“Our Presidential candidate is from Northeast, our National Chairman is from North Central, the Director General of Atiku campaign, Aminu Tambuwa is from the Northwest, so the PDP National Chairman should step down now for peace to reign,” he insisted.
“We cannot do anything outside our constitution except it is amended, we cannot do anything unless the laws are amended. Ayu must go through our constitution, rules, regulations, and our practice, otherwise, we cannot give the kind of leadership Nigerians want. It is possible, it is achievable, we have done it before and we have started doing it again,” he posited.
Speaking on behalf of the National Chairman, the PDP Deputy National Chairman, North, Umar Damagum, urged members to commit themselves and work assiduously for the victory of the party in the coming elections.
He noted that the choice of the venue for the meeting was deliberate because Ibadan was the capital of politics in Southwest and Nigeria at large.
In his remarks, the Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum, Aminu Tambuwal, said the meeting was a sign of good things to come, and Southwest would come back to PDP in 2023.
In the entourage of the presidential candidate of the party were Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Bala Mohammed; Osun State Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke; PDP governorship candidates; Ex -Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko; Ex- Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Ex- Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose; Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja and a host of others.
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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