Politics
Bayelsa Guber Poll: LP’s Eradiri Seeks Diri, Sylva’s Disqualification
The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in last month’s election in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri, has approached the election petition tribunal, seeking the disqualification of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Douye Diri, and his APC counterpart, Timipre Sylva.
Mr Eradiri, who rejected the results of the last governorship polls in the state on Wednesday, insisted that he was the only eligible candidate who scored the valid votes cast and deserved to be declared as the duly elected governor of the state.
Addressing stakeholders, ward and local government officials of the party at his campaign office in Yenagoa, Mr Eradiri said he decided to explore the legal option after thoroughly assessing the outcome of the polls.
He said: “After the election, we said we were going to look at the issues, and I am here to officially inform the leadership of the party that we have gone to court, and we pray the court to declare me winner.
“The reason is that the PDP and APC produced candidates that were not eligible to contest the election, and I won the valid votes cast in the election, so I should be declared governor of Bayelsa.
“There are issues of eligibility of the two candidates, and that is my reason for going to the tribunal. Many people have lost hope in the judiciary but that small thread we held on to is the basis for me to challenge the declaration.
“After studying the entire process, I have decided to ask the tribunal to declare me governor. With the spread of my 950 votes, you will see that in seven out of the eight local governments, I got the constitutional requirements, so if you invalidate the PDP and APC votes, I should be declared winner”.
Mr Eradiri said he decided to explore the court options in the interest of the suffering people of Bayelsa, adding that he would continue to raise issues affecting the people.
He said: “If the court decides they’ll look the other way, we will still challenge it because of that small thread of hope. We still believe that there are people of integrity in the judiciary, and that is what we are holding on to”.
On the crisis rocking the party in the state, he said there was no faction, adding that the Labour Party stakeholders and leadership had decided to appoint an acting chairman in accordance with the constitution.
Mr Eradiri said the former chairman of the party in the state lacked the constitutional power to suspend him.
He said: “Some persons decided to leave the party, they voluntarily left. The natural system of discipline in the party kicked him out, not me. So there’s no faction.
“The position of the party is clear, if you participate in anti-party activity, it is expulsion. We have a constitution that dictates our modus operandi. I have demonstrated the principles to put the party together so I can’t at this time destroy it myself”.
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.