Politics
Crisis Hits Benue PDP As SWC Allegedly Suspends State Chairman, Secretary
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has been hit by crisis following the alleged suspension of the State Chairman of the party, Sir John Ngbede, the State Secretary, Joseph Nyam, and the state Organising Secretary, Moses Audu, by the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party.
The suspension of the three SWC members was contained in a statement issued Monday in Makurdi by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Bemgba Iortyom.
The statement claimed that the leaders who have been slammed with a one-month suspension were axed over alleged impersonation and instigating crises during the just concluded ward congresses of the party, among other allegations.
They were also directed to appear before a disciplinary committee to answer to charges brought against them.
Part of the statement read: “The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue State has suspended three members of its State Working Committee from office for a period of one month with immediate effect.
“The affected officials are the state Chairman, John Ngbede; the state Secretary, Joseph Nyam; and the state Organising Secretary, Moses Audu.
“The action was carried at an extraordinary meeting of the State Working Committee of the party on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at which nine out of the 13 members were present and assented to the decision.
“The suspended members are accused of forging and impersonating the State Working Committee to achieve their individual aims, instigating violence and crisis during the just concluded Ward Congresses of the party, and mismanagement of the finances of the party, among other things.
“They have been directed to appear before the disciplinary committee of the party to answer the charges brought against them within the period of their suspension.
“The State Deputy Chairman, Isaac Mffo, is now the State Chairman of the PDP in Benue State in an acting capacity. The PDP family and the general public should take note.”
When contacted, the suspended Chairman, Sir Ngbede, said, “I don’t know about that. Bemgba Iortyom is suspended by his ward, so he is not the Publicity Secretary of the party.
“We didn’t have any meetings, and there was no State Working Committee meeting, so where did they get that authority of suspending the Chairman?
“Uptil now, we have not seen anything. Most of them there claiming to suspend people have resigned their positions to contest for various positions in the coming congresses, so how can people who have resigned their positions come to hold a meeting to suspend the chairman?
“Who are they, and where did they hold the meeting? A lot of them have resigned. The state deputy chairman (Zone A), state Treasurer, and state Organising Secretary have all written letters resigning from their positions. So why are they suspending somebody who has already resigned?”
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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