Politics
RVHA Passes Two Bills, Adjourns Pension Bill
The Rivers State House of Assembly last
week passed the State Senior Secondary Schools Board Bill and the Universal
Basic Education Amendment Bill into laws.
The smooth passage of the two bills to law,
followed debate on the report of public hearing by the House Education Committee
presented by its Chairman, Hon. Augustine Ngo.
The lawmakers also accepted the
recommendation of the Committee that the bill on school inspection and
monitoring be sent back to the sponsors for repackaging based on
inconsistencies that were noticed in the proposed law.
In another development, the state
legislators commenced debate on the state Public Office Holders Bill, otherwise
called Pensions and fringe benefits for Governors and Deputy Governors Bill.
Opening debate on the issue, Hon. Benibo
Anabraba, representing Akuku-Toru, constituency 11, thanked, the Hon. Josiah
Olu-led committee for doing a good work, but called for the removal of some
words that are ambiguous.
Hon. Anabraba opined that phrases like
immediate family should be replaced with definite words like spouse and
children, while the accommodation to be provided should be anywhere in the
country with specification.
The lawmaker equally argued for the
reduction in the number of security details and added personal secretary or
personal assistant who would be more useful to the former officers.
In his contribution, Hon. Chidi Lloyd,
representing Emohua Constituency and sponsor of the bill, said the proposed law
intends to secure the future for former leaders and to check occupants of the
office from looting public funds since the state appreciates their
contributions by providing for them.
Hon. Onari Brown, Akuku Toru, Constituency
1, noted that the law should limit the construction of the house to Rivers
State with specific standard while the number of children to benefit should be
limited to six.
Hon. Innocent Barikor, Gokana, Victoria
Nyeche, Port Harcourt constituency 1, agreed that the dimension of the House to
be built is critical since the essence of the proposal was to benefit successive
Governors and their deputies, and should be located in the state.
However, Hon Augustine Ngo, Abua/Odual does
not see anything wrong with building the house in any part of the country of
the choice of the beneficiaries as found in the committee’s report.
Meanwhile, further debate on the proposed
law has been adjourned to tomorrow, while the lawmakers appeared unanimous on
the new title of the bill, “pensions and fringe benefits for governors and
Deputy governors”.
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.