Politics
YPP Claims Four Legislative Seats In Akwa Ibom, Anambra
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has won three House of Representatives and one state assembly seats in the rerun and bye-elections held last Saturday in Akwa Ibom and Anambra states.
The polls were marred by pockets of violence in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State leading to the cancellation of the exercise in two units in Ikono and Ini local government areas.
The winners are Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, who was returned for a second term by defeating the candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Glory Edet and Moses Essien (YPP), who floored PDP’s Obong Godwin Ekpo to clinch the Ibiono Ibom State constituency seat.
In Anambra State, the YPP candidate for Nnewi-North, Nnewi-South Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Hon Peter Uzokwe defeated the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Hon Uchenna Elodimuo in the election.
Also, the YPP candidate for Orumba-North/Orumba-South Federal Constituency, Hon Chinwe Nnabuife, won the rerun election with a total of 14,496 votes to defeat her PDP opponent, Hon Okwudili Ezenwankwo who scored 13,087 votes.
In the Akwa Ibom State, Mr Nabie Jude, the collation officer for the House of Representatives rerun, said the YPP candidate polled 24,050 votes to beat his closest challenger Edet, who got 17,232 votes.
Jude, therefore, declared that, “Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo of the YPP having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”
Ukpong-Udo had moved from the PDP to the YPP to pursue his second term bid in the 2023 elections following his failure to secure the PDP ticket.
In the Anambra contest, Uzokwe polled a total of 25,518 votes to emerge winner while the APGA candidate, Elodimuo scored 25,412 votes.
With the outcome of the rerun election, Uzokwe will now replace Elodimuo who had been in the House of Representatives after the February 25, 2023 general election until the Appeal Court nullified his election and ordered a rerun election in five polling units in Nnewi-North council.
Uzokwe and his party (YPP) had filed a petition at the Election Petitions Tribunal challenging the outcome of the earlier poll wherein he complained of irregularities during the main election.
Curiously, the senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, has described the rerun elections as a clear proof that he commands a strong political support base in the state.
Ubah, who has since defected from the YPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), claimed responsibility for the victory of the YPP candidates.
In a reaction to the outcome of the poll, Ubah said despite the power of incumbency of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his party, APGA, the YPP candidates won the two House of Representatives seats that were contested.
He said, “The state government sent down seven commissioners and other government officials to Nnewi for that election for APGA. Their purpose was to intimidate us but we floored them.”
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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