Politics
Tinubu Appoints Onuoha Rivers REC, Eight Others …As INEC Restates Readiness For Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa Polls
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Anugbum Onuoha as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Rivers State.
Dr Onuoha is among eight other Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) the President appointed for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a term of five years each, subject to the confirmation of the Senate.
Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement on Wednesday, said the appointment was done based on the powers vested in the President by Section 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as Amended) and Section 6 of the Electoral Act (2022).
The appointees include Mr Isah Shaka Ehimeakne, Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner; Mr Bamidele Agbede, Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner; Mr Jani Adamu Bello, Gombe State Resident Electoral Commissioner; and Dr Taiye Ilayasu, Kwara State Resident Electoral Commissioner.
Others are Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner; Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Nasarawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner; Prof. Mohammed Yalwa, Niger State Resident Electoral Commissioner; Dr Anugbum Onuoha, Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner; and Mr Abubakar Fawa Dambo, Zamfara State Resident Electoral Commissioner.
“President Tinubu expects the new appointees to abide by the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct in the discharge of their duties, in accordance with his determination to facilitate the establishment of a new and sustainable standard of transparent, fair and conflict-free electoral conduct in Nigeria,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the commission has said that this year’s November 11 governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states are critical to it.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the quarterly consultative meeting with civil society organisations (CSOs).
”Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi governorship elections are critical to the commission. As you are aware, the commission conducted a mock accreditation involving actual voters in designated polling units in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states two weeks ago.
“By doing so, we tested the efficacy of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for both biometric authentication of voters and the upload of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
“Some of you observed the mock accreditation exercise and viewed the results on the IReV portal. We have received no adverse report so far. By this, we are encouraged that the test was successful, and we look forward to improved performance of the BVAS in voter accreditation and result upload in the forthcoming governorship elections and beyond,” Yakubu said.
He also noted that many of the CSOs were deploying teams of observers for the three elections and that overall, INEC has accredited 145 organisations deploying 7,896 observers, whose accredited organisations would soon be invited to collect the identity cards for their observers.
“Similarly, CSOs have on several occasions urged the commission to intercede with the security agencies to grant you unimpeded access to voting and collation locations. I want to reassure you that we will continue to do so as we engage with the security agencies both at the national level and in the three states.
“At the same time, I wish to remind all accredited observers to strictly adhere to the code of conduct for election observation,” the INEC boss said.
Responding on behalf of the CSOs, the Director of Justice and Equity Organisation (JEO), Mr Funsho Tunde, said they have some concerns pertaining to the election coverage and are glad that efforts are being made by INEC to ensure the polls are free, fair,credible and that observers are provided with adequate security.
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.