Politics
Shettima, Ganduje Woo Imo Electorate For Uzodinma
Vice President, Kashim Shettima and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, stormed Owerri on Wednesday to flag off the campaign for Governor Hope Uzodinma’s re-election bid.
Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the occasion.
Addressing the rally, Mr Shettima said Nigerians of Southeast extraction could not afford to play independently in Nigeria’s politics.
He stressed the need to re-elect Uzodinma at the November 11 governorship poll as a hope of bringing the Southeast into the mainstream of national politics.
The Vice-President commended Uzodinma for adding value to Imo State through his giant strides in infrastructural development and the increase in internally generated revenue (IGR) of the State.
“From a paltry N16 billion annually, he has increased the IGR to more than N30 billion per annum.
“For the purpose of consolidation and continuity, it is important for the people of Imo to rally round Uzodinma and get him re-elected.
“You may not appreciate him but in the fullness of time, you will come to realise how important he is in the politics of Ndigbo,” Mr Shettima said.
He assured Uzodinma of the president’s support and urged Imo people to turn out fully on November 11 to re-elect the governor to enable him complete his projects.
Also addressing the rally, Dr Ganduje commended Uzodinma for providing good governance and infrastructural facilities in the areas of education, health, agriculture and security.
He urged the people of Imo State to re-elect Uzodinma to ensure continuity.
“It is important because it has been the culture that when a new government comes in, it abandons the projects of the previous government,’’ he said.
“In your own case, we need continuity. Continuity will lead to consolidation, consolidation will lead to sustainability, sustainability will lead to progress and progress will lead to prosperity,” Dr Ganduje said.
Governors of Ogun, Benue, Cross River, Lagos, Ebonyi, Sokoto, Yobe and Jigawa states as well as some national assembly members attended the rally.
Also present were former governors of Imo, Rochas Okorocha and Ikedi Ohakim and some ministers.
Earlier, Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River said Imo had benefitted a lot from the federal government for being an APC state.
“In order to sustain all these gains and even more, we don’t have any other option than to vote APC’s Uzodimma,’’ Mr Otu declared.
On his part, Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun described Mr Uzodimma as the “Hope of the Southeast’’.
According to him, Mr Uzodimma has performed in all sectors – measurable and immeasurable in the areas of roads, health, job creation and youth development.
In his address, Mr Uzodimma said he had done a lot to improve all sectors of the economy and politics of the state since his election in January 2020.
“I will not be contradicted, if I say life has become more meaningful for our people.
“We have rescued our state from the infrastructural decay we met on ground; we have repaired and recognised the health and education sectors,’’ he stated.
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.