Politics
Suit To Compel PDP NEC Meeting: Court Orders Substituted Service
The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has granted an order permitting a former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Segun Sowunmi, to serve the National Chairman of the party, Illiya Damagum court processes through substituted means.
Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon gave the order, yesterday, while ruling on an ex parte application filed by Sowunmi’s counsel, Anderson Asemota, to allow him to serve the second to seventh defendants in the suit processes via substituted means.
Others to be served through substituted means are the national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and the national organising secretary, Umar Bature.
Also to be served through substituted means are the National Auditor, Okechukwu Daniel, the national treasurer, Ahmed Yayari, and the national youth leader, Muhammed Kadade.
Mr Asemota told the court that he had been able to effect service on the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the first and eighth defendants.
At the resumed hearing of the matter, Mr Asemota told the court that the application for substituted service became necessary when all efforts to personally serve the second to seventh defendants were futile.
The judge granted the plaintiff’s request for an order of substituted service of court processes on the second to seventh defendants and adjourned the matter until March 4 for a hearing.
Mr Sowunmi approached the court seeking an order directing the party leadership to hold a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to present the party’s activities from the date of the last NEC meeting.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/70/2024, the plaintiff is also asking the court for an order, directing the 1st to 7th defendants to call a NEC meeting of the party to present the proposed guidelines and regulations governing the conduct of elections to the party officers at all levels.
He is further seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the second to eighth defendants from functioning or discharging the functions of their offices until they call for or cause to be called and held a meeting of the PDP’s NEC in total fidelity and obeisance of the party’s constitution.
The plaintiff wants the court to declare that by virtue of the provisions of Article 31(2)(d), 4 and 5 of the PDP constitution (as amended in 2017), he, as spokesman of the party during the last election is obligated and/or entitled to file the suit to give effect to the aims and objectives of the PDP and to ensure that the provisions of Article 7 of the PDP constitution are observed and respected by members and national officers.
He also sought a declaration that under and by virtue of the provisions of Article 31 (2)(4) and (5) of the PDP constitution and Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the first to seventh defendants are obligated to hold quarterly or at the request of one-third of members of NEC of the PDP, the meeting of the NEC.
He said the meeting was where the first to seventh defendants would present quarterly financial reports or the party’s income and expenditure to the NEC members.
He stated, “A declaration that, under and by virtue and the provisions of Article 31 (2)(4) and (5) of the PDP constitution and Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the first to seventh defendants are obligated to call for or cause to be called and held quarterly or at the request of the one-third of members of the NEC of the PDP at which the defendants shall present quarterly reports containing the activities of the PDP to the members of the NEC.”
He also wanted the court to declare that the defendants are under obligation to call for a PDP NEC meeting to present proposed guidelines and regulations governing the conduct of elections to the party offices at all levels and procedures of selecting party candidates for elective offices to the NEC members.
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.