Politics
Ondo Electoral Commission Postpones LG Polls Indefinitely
The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), has postponed the state’s local government elections, scheduled for July 13, citing political parties’ non-compliance with guidelines.
ODIEC’s spokesman, Joseph Aremo, announced the indefinite postponement of the polls during a meeting with the Ondo State Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) at the commission’s office in Akure, on Monday.
He said the political parties were yet to nominate candidates for the election.
“Ours is to conduct an election that will usher in a democratic government at the local level. It’s unfortunate that no single party complied with the guidelines for the elections.
“We are yet to receive the nomination of candidates, yet to verify and release it to the public for scrutiny,” he stated.
The postponement came after IPAC threatened not to participate in the local government election due to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s alleged refusal to meet with them.
IPAC’s chairman, Adesanya Olaoluwa, explained that despite entreaties by the council’s leadership, the governor allegedly refused to interface with the political parties participating in the polls.
“They now know our reasons. We want to see Mr Govenor (Aiyedatiwa). It is not that we don’t have trust in ODIEC; we all know that they can perform credible election,” Mr Olaoluwa said.
The state electoral body had issued the election guidelines that accommodated the proposed 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
However, this came before an Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure nullified the 33 LCDAs created by late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Justice A.O Adebusuoye, who scrapped the LCDAs in his verdict, described the local councils as “inchoate and unlawfully” created by Mr Akeredolu.
The court held that it was illegal for a governor to sign a law outside the state, stating that the Local Government Creation Law 2023, signed by the late governor in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital (outside the state) was unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.
Mr Akerdolu, who was diagnosed with cancer, assented to the bill to create the 33 LCDAs on September 9, 2023, from the constitutionally recognised 18 LGAs in the state.
The bill for the creation of the new LCDAs was presented to the late governor by the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Oladiji Olamide, at the governor’s residence in Ibadan, Oyo capital city.
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.