Politics
RVHA Tasks Oil Firm On Egi Gas Eruption
Rivers State House of Assembly has directed Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited to sustain the zero fatality record maintained so far on the Egi gas eruption.
The directive was contained in the interim report submitted to the Assembly by the Joint Committee on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources on the disaster in four communities in Egi clan, Egita, Obiyebe, Obite and Ogbogu in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
Presenting the report to the House last Tuesday, Hon Victoria Nyeche, representing Port Harcourt constituency I, said the oil firm has not ascertained the actual cause of the gas eruption four weeks after the incident, but has completely ruled out sabotage.
The committee also directed Total (E&P) to provide and distribute adequate relief materials to the impacted communities to ameliorate the sufferings of the people, noting that the local government council and the member representing ONELGA constituency I, should be involved in supervising the distribution process.
According to the report, the most impacted community appears to be Egita which is surprisingly classified in the none landlord category of Total E&P.
The report noted that the surge point areas are mainly farm settlements which had been cordoned-off thereby denying the people access to their farm.
The committee explained that economic activities have been hampered in the affected communities as the environment has been severely impacted upon in both surface and underground water as well as air and soil by gas.
Hon Nyeche, who is the chairman, House Committee on Environment, said the company claimed to be giving free medical facilities, relief materials and alternative source of potable water, while air quality sampling is consistently carried out and water samples are taken twice from all known water wells to monitor contamination.
She disclosed that the firm has put in place short term, medium term and long term measures to mitigate the challenge by paying compensation to the impacted families and strictly monitoring the situation.
In the medium term, they would continue to contain, pay compensation to families and communities, launch a study on environmental impact, while the long term measures would include commencement of remediation work and monitoring following the result from the environmental post impact study.
It would be recalled that the House mandated the two committees to investigate the incident following a resolution on the motion brought by Hon Gift Wokocha in urgent public interest.
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.