Politics
PDP Drags Osun Federal Lawmakers To Court Over Defection To APC
The PDP made the application in four separate suits dated August 20 and filed by its counsel, Rapheal Oyewole.
The lawmakers include two senators and two members of the House of Representatives.
They are Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District; Senator Olubiyi Oluwole Fadeyi for Osun Central Senatorial District; Omirin Olusanya, who represents Atakumosa East/West and Ilesa East/West Federal Constituency; and Taofeek Ajilesoro, representing Ife Central/East/North and South Federal Constituency.
The plaintiff had, in the originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1725/2025, FHC/ABJ/CS/1728/2025, FHC/ABJ/CS/1727/2025 and FHC/ABJ/CS/1726/2025, sued Messrs Fadahunsi, Fadeyi, Olusanya and Ajilesoro, respectively, as the 1st defendant in each of the cases.
While the president of the Senate is sued as the 2nd defendant in the suit against the senators, the Speaker of the House of Representatives is named as the 2nd defendant in the matter against the two House members.
However, the National Assembly, Clerk of NASS and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are listed as 3rd to 5th defendants in the suits, respectively.
The party, which sought six questions for determination, asked whether, by virtue of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution 1999 (as amended), a senator or House member such as the lawmakers are not liable to forfeit their legislative seats after resigning the membership of the plaintiff political party on whose platform they were elected, before the end of the term for which they were elected, devoid of any division, merger and/or faction in the plaintiff’s political party.
The PDP, therefore, prayed the court to declare that the continued occupation of the legislative seats by the four lawmakers after defecting from the party on whose platform they were elected, without satisfying the express provision under Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, constitutes a breach of the constitution and renders their seats vacant by operation of law.
It also prayed the court to make an order of mandamus compelling the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to forthwith declare their seats vacant accordingly.
The PDP urged the court to direct Messrs Akpabio, Abbas and INEC to discharge their constitutional duties as provided by the law by declaring the seats vacant and initiating processes for the conduct of bye-elections into the vacant seats in the senatorial districts and constituencies.
The party sought an order directing the clerk of the National Assembly (NASS) to withdraw all entitlements and stop payments of salaries and allowances, including benefits to Messrs Fadahunsi, Fadeyi, Olusanya and Ajilesoro.
It equally sought an order directing the embattled lawmakers to refund all salaries, emoluments, benefits and allowances received from the date of their resignation from PDP to the date of judgement, having unlawfully retained a legislative seat in violation of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.
The PDP said the court decision would be in strict compliance with Section 68(1)(g) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the suits have yet to be assigned to a judge.
Recall that the Osun State PDP chapter had, recently, dragged Oluwole Oke, the lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of the state, before Justice Emeka Nwite over his defection to the APC.
The party in the state continued to activate the provisions of the constitution as contained in Section 68(1)(g), bordering on the defection of legislators during the term for which they were elected.
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.