Politics
Chairman, Councillors’ Feud Blamed On Political
The on-going political crisis between the Omuma Local Government Council Chairman, Hon John Anucha and the ten councillors of the council has been blamed on alleged selfish and parochial interest of a political clique known as the ‘Omuma Big Eight’.
A prominent politician in Omuma, Chief Jude Ubani who made the allegation in an exclusive interview with The Tide said the clique was using the councillors to frustrate the administration of Hon Anucha for refusing to bring allocations of the area, since inception of office to their table for sharing.
He explained that before the councillors sent their controversial petition to the River State House of Assembly, Omuma Elders Advisory council made up of responsible elders from the ten wards in Omuma mediated in the crisis and discovered that virtually all the demands by the councillors centred around their personal interest instead of the Omuma people and advised them not to wash their dirty linen in the public.
Chief Ubani, who is also a social commentator in the state expressed shock that the councillors were unable to pass a bill since three years in office.
“They do not even know anything about law-making. They are just there to get their allowance and whatever they think is due them”, he maintained.
Commenting on the allegation that the council boss spends N7 million on security, Chief Ubani said it is funny in view of the serious security situation in Omuma which shares same border with Ngwa where the notorious late kidnap kingpin ,Osisikaukwu comes from.
He praised Hon Anucha for what he described as his long list of achievements. “Apart from two or three communities around Ariramiri, all communities in Omuma are electrified with the council picking the bills, built market stalls, ultramodern secretariat, built parks, pays bursary to students, gives scholarship to Omuma students and takes care of elderly persons in the area amongst others”, he said.
Chief Ubani who was a prominent member of ANPP said the impressive performances of Hon Aucha in Omuma and Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi at the state level forced him to dump opposition and noted that his shift to PDP, marked the death of opposition in Omuma and Etche.
“Governor Amaechi and Hon Anucha are God-sent. Their impressive performances made me move over to PDP and with my exit from opposition camp, opposition is dead in Omuma and even Etche,” he remarked.
He further stated that he had initiated moves “to dismantle the Omuma Big Eight who think they own Omuma and always want to occupy important political positions or want their stooges who they can manipulate”.
He lauded Governor Amaechi for building world class schools across the twenty-three local government areas in the state, massive road constructions, health centres, local and overseas scholarship to Rivers students, power station among others and stressed that Governor Amaechi administration cannot be compared to the eight years of Dr. Peter Odili which he termed a total waste.
He advised Omuma people to continue to give support to Hon Anucha’s administration at the local government level and expressed support to Governor Amaechi’s re election to enable him complete the good work he is doing for the state.
“Amaechi does not need further campaign, even the recent two million-man match is a waste of resources because the governor’s work is enough campaign for him,” he noted.
Chris Oluoh
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.