Politics
Results Collation: ‘inec Unfair To Rivers People’
The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not fair to the people of Rivers State by delaying the electoral process till April.
This is as the State Chairman of the Civil Society Organisation said INEC seems confused in the manner it was handling the electoral process in the state, especially going by the scheduled date for collation and announcement of results and subsequent postponement to April.
CLO chairman in Rivers State, Sotonye George who stated this while speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt said the organisation is not comfortable with the new timeline given by the INEC to conclude the election.
He said, “It is important that why INEC has taken decision in other states that have not completed their elections, INEC should not prolong Rivers State date of elections and declaration of results.
“Fixing 13th of April as supplementary elections is very much unfair and too long. It is unnecessary keeping this thing will only generate heat and tension in Rivers State.
“Again, the people will look at it that they want to create a lacuna of leadership in Rivers State,” he said.
Similarly, the State Chairman, Civil Society Organisation, Inefaa Georgewill advised the INEC to announce the already collated results and conduct a rerun in areas where the election was not free and fair.
According to Georgewill, “INEC should go ahead and announce the ones that have been done and possibly do a rerun in areas where they feel where violence was recorded or where the process was not free or fair.
“But for INEC to put the whole election process on hold in the first instance and reschedule it for another date and now moved again to 2nd 5th April seems that the INEC is confused in terms of what it should do.
“For us (civil Society) INEC should not be a Tribunal unto itself. They should go ahead and do the proper thing by announcing the original results so that anyone who is not comfortable can approach the Tribunal to seek redress legally,” he said.
Dennis Naku
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.