Politics
Presidency Must Shift To South In 2023 – Gaya
Senator Kabiru Gaya says the Southern part of Nigeria should produce the next president in 2023 for fairness.
Gaya said this while speaking to The Tide source in Abuja.
He said that the north had produced president for two terms in person of President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been doing well in developing the country, saying “I am proud of him because I believe he is doing his best.
“On the issue of presidency in 2023, I will support a president from the southern part of the country. I believe it is time we have president from the southern part of the country while the vice president comes from the north.
“I think it should be fair to rotate the presidency in such a way that people will have confidence in the system; both the north and the south will accommodate each other. Nigeria needs to be one country. One united country,’’ he said.
On the agitations for restructuring, Gaya said that Nigeria should remain one indivisible country, while improving on its revenue generation.
“God knows the best why he put us together and I believe there is a reason for it.
“But when you say you want to restructure the country using revenue generation, that each state lives on its own or parts of the nation in terms of tribe strive on its own, I think that is the thinking of some Nigerians.
“I believe that Nigeria should remain one indivisible entity,’’ he said.
The lawmaker expressed the need for Nigeria to harness its natural resources for development of the country.
“We are very lucky that God loves Nigeria, I think it is one of the countries that God loves most, because it is a country devoid of all the natural disasters. We don’t have snow, earthquake and volcanic eruption in Nigeria.
“We have no rainfall that sweeps the whole states in Nigeria. Our temperature, climates are good. We do not have bush fire that burns the whole states like in the U.S.
“God has blessed this country. Even our rainfall is normal and we have vast virgin land that is unutilised. If we will continue to improve on our agriculture, I am sure we will go places,’’ he said.
Gaya said a state in India- Punjap which was smaller than Kano State, was producing about 70 per cent of wheat requirement of the country, in spite of the large population.
“So if we can improve on agriculture in our country we will be self-sufficient in food.
“When Buhari banned importation of rice, we all went back to farming. I am also a farmer growing rice and other crops.
“Therefore, we should try to improve on what God has given us in such a way that we can progress to a developing nation,’’ he said.
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.