Politics
INEC Derecognition Report Mere Propaganda – Abure LP
He claimed that the Federal High Court’s decisions of August 15, 2025, were allegedly misinterpreted to suit this narrative.
Mr Ifoh said, “For the records, two cases concerning Labour Party were decided and dismissed yesterday by the same court.
“One by Nenadi Usman through one Chris Omofuma, her purported candidate in the Edo by-election and of course, the one filed by Labour Party through Barrister Julius Abure.
“INEC was the respondent in all the matters. While INEC for obvious reasons refused to put up any counter against Nenadi’s camp, it however, deposed to a counter affidavit in opposition to Abure’s suit, on the premise that it neither monitored nor recognised the March 27, 2024, convention in Nnewi, and that Abure’s tenure, along with that of the National Executive Committee, according to their illusions, expired in June 2024.
“The court wasted no time in dismissing the suit by Ms Nenadi Usman through Chris Omofume on the ground that both Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwokocha were not National Chairman and National Secretary respectively, of the party and therefore are not competent to nominate candidate for the bye-election.
“The court also, while dismissing the suit by Abure and Labour Party, held that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, noting that the Supreme Court had, in its April 4, 2025, decision in Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025, ruled on the supremacy of the party and its ability to resolve its internal affairs using the party’s internal mechanism.
“In any event, the Supreme Court never said that Abure was not the National Chairman of the Labour Party nor made pronouncement on the Convention. It only said that issues of leadership is an internal affairs of the party. It is also clear that the Abure leadership is the party here and that is what the apex court referred to.
“Disappointed by the judgement of the Court, Nenadi Usman and her power mongering renegades went to town publishing INEC’s counter-affidavit which the court never relied on.
“For us, their celebration was laughable and a smokescreen meant to mislead members of the public. They know that they have nothing to really celebrate.
“They forgot so soon that that INEC’s so called counter-affidavit has been tested in various courts, up to the Supreme Court and has not been accepted.
“The INEC counter affidavit is clearly what the commission has been portraying all through in the courts since the beginning of their unlawful exclusion of our leadership.
“They tendered it before Justice Omotosho and it was rejected, INEC also said so in Justice Nwite’s court and the Judge ruled against them.
“They said so in the Court of Appeal, the court also ruled against them. Even the Supreme Court ruled against them.
“All those issues in the counter affidavit have been raised before and have been resolved against INEC. Even the Federal High Court yesterday did not accept their counter-affidavit, reason it refused to grant Nenadi’s request that her candidate be recognized to participate in the bye-election.
“It is therefore infantile for Nenadi to be circulating the same counter-affidavit as if it were a new document. Their celebration, to us amounts to nothing. It is quite unfortunate that they are celebrating that the Labour Party that gave them succor have no candidate, should that be what they should celebrate?
“Are they not playing into the hands of the opposition? Who benefits from all of this saga? Who is the loser? Are Peter Obi and Dr. Alex Otti not actually the losers in all of these?
“Are they celebrating because they want the party to die. A party that gave them hope when they didn’t have any hope, a party that gave them the platform when they were frustrated by other political parties.
“We are also calling on INEC not to ignore the order by His Lordship, Hon Justice Mustapha A. Ramat of the Nasarawa state division delivered on July 23, 2025 in a SUIT NO. NSD/LF.84/2024 in an interlocutory order directing INEC to accord exclusive recognition to Abure and Umar Farouk Ibrahim as the authentic leadership of the Labour Party.
“The court also ordered that INEC must respect every decision arising from the leadership pending when the case before it is rested.
“We urge INEC not to disobey a lawful order of the Court. INEC must be informed of hushed comments of what appears to be a desperate and obvious collaborative efforts between it and some renegades in the Labour Party to undo the party and to preclude it from participating in future democratic process. We want to believe that if there is any element of truth in it, Nigerians must rise and defend this democracy.
“Finally, we call on our party members to be vigilant and remain peaceful in the face of all these provocation. We assure them that the party under the leadership of Abure is intact and that we will smile at the end of the day. We foresee an end to this crisis very soon because Labour Party will come out stronger and better.”
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.