Politics
Plateau South Senatorial Election: Tribunal Declares Lalong Winner
The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal has declared the immediate past governor of Plateau State, who is now the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr Simon Lalong, as the rightful Senator to represent Plateau South Senatorial District.
The Tribunal on Monday, based its judgement on the premise that the votes garnered by Napoleon Bali in the last Senatorial election were deemed as wasted votes.
According to the tribunal, this was due to Bali’s invalid nomination, as the tribunal noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had no valid structure in Plateau State at the time of his nomination.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State has congratulated the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Lalong, over his victory at the tribunal.
The APC in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Hon Slyvanus Namang, said the Tribunal based its ruling mainly on ground one of the former Governor’s petition that the Plateau State PDP ought not to have participated in the last general elections as it did not have the legal structure to have validly nominated and fielded candidates for the national elections due to its disobedience of court orders, especially the Justice S. P Gang of Plateau State High Court’s unassailable judgment and directive to the party, to conduct a congress to constitute a legally binding party executive committee, which it bluntly refused to do since 2020.
It pointed out that the judgment was illuminating and put to rest the controversy that PDP has no legally constituted Exco.
“We also want to applaud Justices O. Elekwa and O. A. Adetujoye, who also concurred with the lead judgment. The judgment, we believe is a clear roadmap to better days ahead for the APC in the state in the remaining Plateau Tribunal judgments”, the party said.
The party enjoined its supporters to celebrate the victory at the Tribunal with an utmost sense of decorum as it awaits the remaining judgments for the House of Representatives, House of Assembly and Gubernatorial Election Petitions by the Tribunals sitting in Jos.
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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