Politics
New Ekiti Speaker Explains Sacking Of Predecessor
The newly inaugurated Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Olubunmi Adelugba, said on Monday that last week’s election that produced Gboyega Aribisogan as Speaker of the Assembly was compromised.
Adelugba said Aribisogan’s sacking by 17 of the 25 members of the Assembly confirmed the electoral fraud and as well wiped it off, adding, “What happened in the Assembly today (Monday) is about the party and not about the former governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi. It is not as well about me.”
The new Speaker, who spoke at the All Progressives Congress state secretariat in Ado Ekiti shortly after she was elected and inaugurated at the plenary, said reasons for Aribisogan’s removal included sabotage of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill before the Assembly.
According to her, the seven lawmakers in Aribisogan’s group, who were suspended from the House at the plenary had the opportunity to be forgiven, saying, “The caveat is there for those who were suspended.
“As many of them that repent will be accepted because it is the more the merrier. They can write directly to the House, their case will be reviewed and they will be forgiven.
“The first (last week’s) election has been upturned by the sitting of today. Aribisogan has been sacked and the key leaders have been suspended. That election was actually compromised,” she said.
Aribisogan had 15 votes Tuesday last week to emerge Speaker, defeating Adelugba who had scored 10 votes.
But Adelugba said, “If you look at the people who were in the House today, you will see more than 14, 15, 16 members were saying that they did not vote that way. Apparently, there was compromise, but that compromise has been wiped by the decision of today. 17 members voted unanimously for me.
“Again, the last time that we sat, the revised Supplementary Appropriation Bill was supposed to be passed, but the bill was stopped and sabotaged by Aribisogan and his people,” she said.
The Assembly had, at the sitting, sacked Aribsogan as Speaker and suspended him indefinitely from the legislative body while six other lawmakers in his group were suspended as well.
Aribisogan had on Sunday night raised the alarm over plot to sack him with minority members by Fayemi, whom he said had earlier invited them to his house and suggested the idea of Adelugba as Speaker to replace the erstwhile Speaker, Funminiyi Afuye, who died on October 19.
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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