Politics
Nat’l Convention: APC S’Africa Advocates Woman Chairmanship
The All Progressives Congress (APC), South Africa chapter, has suggested the election of a woman as the national chairman of the party during the yet-to-be fixed national convention.
The chairman of the chapter, Mr Bola Babarinde, stated this yesterday in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.
The Tide reports that the APC’s Caretaker and Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) is yet to fix a date for the party’s national convention to produce the National Working Committee (NWC).
Babarinde said: “As committed members of APC, we wish the party success in all forthcoming elections and hereby advise parties involved to shun ego and support APC wholeheartedly.
“We advise that the current caretaker committee be disbanded, for us to move forward and avoid delicate future for the party.
“APC is endowed with men and women of virtues that can lead our party to greatness, why not try a woman now to be our next National Chairman.”
According to him, the African National Congress (ANC), a South African Liberation movement turned political party, now has a woman, Mrs Jesse Duarte, as acting Secretary General.
“ANC is the biggest and oldest political movement in Africa, a woman is saddled with the day-to-day running of the organisation why not in Nigeria.
“Our women are capable and experienced to be given such opportunity.
”This decision to put forward a woman as chairman of APC will be a win win situation for all,” he said.
He noted that the constitution of CECPC led by Gov. Mai Mala-Buni of Yobe, though with good intentions, nearly cost the party the governorship seat in Ondo State in recent Supreme Court judgment.
According to him, Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State escaped by a whisker due to the oversight of Eyitayo Jegede’s legal team that failed to join APC’s CECPC Chairman, Governor Mai Mala-Buni, in the suit.
He described this as “a yellow card for APC Caretaker Committee.”
Babarinde said: “Now the Supreme court gave a judgment which indirectly invalidated the caretaker committee with interpretation by legal great minds in Nigeria.
“The honourable thing to do by its chairman is to resign his elective office as governor and be reappointed or elected as Chairman of APC”.
“We use this opportunity to thank the current caretaker committee members for their service to the party and it will be on record that they did their best and we wish them good luck.”
urged chieftains of the party to always offer “honest advice” on how to move the party forward.
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.