Politics
Resolve Leadership Question With Your Votes, PDP Candidate Urges Nigerians
Nigerians have been advised to use their votes wisely in the 2023 general election to resolve the lingering leadership question.
The People Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2, Lere Olayinka, gave the advice in his goodwill message on the 62nd Independence Day Anniversary of the country.
He said: “What Nigeria needs are good leaders and quality representation to move the country forward.”
Olayinka urged the people to be courageous enough to elect those who will change the story of the country from what it is now to that of joy and celebrations.
“At this point of our national history, this country needs good people to lead it back to its previous stand and to redeem its image as the giant of Africa.
“This present situation where Nigerians can no longer feed and move freely across the country must not continue.
“The people will have another chance of making things right by electing credible and development oriented people in 2023,” he said.
Olayinka, who celebrated his birthday by giving free petrol to Okada riders in his Okemesi Ekiti hometown, assured the people of his constituency, consisting of Ekiti West, Ijero and Efon local government areas, of quality representation, if elected in 2023.
He restated that his membership of the lower chamber of the National Assembly will impact positively on all households in his constituency.
The PDP stalwart urged Nigerians to vote massively for all candidates of the party in the 2023 general election.
He noted that “the difference between the Nigeria of 2015 when one bag of rice was N7,000 and that of 2022 when the same bag of rice is over N30,000 is like the difference between life and death.
“In 2023, Nigerians should use their votes to bring life back to Nigeria and send those who brought death and untold suffering in 2015 out of power.”
The PDP House of Representatives candidate congratulated Nigerians for witnessing the 62nd Independence anniversary of the country.
He prayed that God will make the next Independence Day celebration one in which the people will celebrate the birth of a new dawn.
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.