Politics

Wike Tasks RSIEC On Credible Polls

Published

11 years ago

July 13, 2015

Activities in Government House last week continued
on a sound note. Governor Nyesom Wike was in Abuja to attend the meeting of the Committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari over payment of salaries by some state governors.
The President had on Wednesday announced a financial bail out to help states pay their workers backlog of salaries. The money was sourced from the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Company (NLNG) dividends and taxes to the Federation Account totaling over N700 billion.
Governor Wike had at a radio programme “Viewpoint” revealed that the state got about N2 billion from the bailout.
On Thursday, the state was thrown into jubilations following the judgement of the Federal High Court nullifying the elections of the 22 Council Chairmen whose elections was conducted in controversial circumstances on May 23rd.
Presiding Judge, Akanbi described the elections as null and void since it failed to abide by an earlier court ruling that the elections should not hold. However, at Abuja, the rivers Election Tribunal had ruled on the issue of jurisdiction before going into the substantive matter regarding inspection of election materials.
Meanwhile, the KOWA party announced its withdrawal of the petition filed by one Stanley Nkemka Elenwo. The gubernatorial candidate announced his withdrawal from the suit against Gov. Wike.
On the same Thursday, Special Adviser to Rivers State governor on Media and Publicity, Sir, Opunabo Inko-Tariah played host to RATTAWU (Radio Television and Theatre Workers Union), led by its chairperson, Comrade Opi Erekosima. He assured them of government support and address to their welfare.
Shortly after the court ruling on the 22 local government chairmen, Governor Wike in an attempt not to create vacuum at the grassroots sworn-in 22 Caretaker Committee Chairmen (CTC) on Thursday evening. He charged them to domicile in their area and support in the fight against crime by ensuring peace in their domain.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Chief of Staff Government House, Engr. Emeka Woke had met with staffers in Government House. Engr. Woke charged workers in Government House to be hardworking, while assuring them of better welfare as part of the new Rivers Vision.
On Friday, Governor Wike swore-in five new Commissioners. They include the Judicial Service Commission, Rivers State Independent Electoral commission (RSIEC), Rivers State House of Assembly Commission, Civil Service Commission and Local Government Service Commission.
While inaugurating the Judicial Service Commission, Governor Wike urged them to ensure that problems bedraggling the commission was laid to rest. The governor also charged the new RSIEC to start preparing ahead for the local government elections. “Let Nigerians know that there are those that can conduct a free and fair elections.”
Responding on behalf of the Judicial Service Commission, Acting Chief Judge, Justice Daisy Okocha thanked the governor for reconstituting the commission and assured to put things right by leaving a legacy.
The governor on Saturday appeared on Rhythm’s Viewpoint programme where he explained some of the policies and programmes of his administration saying “I want Rivers State to have the best.”
From there he proceeded to Onne Oil/Gas Free Zone where he inspected activities at the wharf. He promised to assist Federal Government in rehabilitating East/West Road to ease business activities in the area.
Also within the Week, Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo represented the governor, when Zenith Bank and FCMB advocated for more jobs for Rivers people.

Politics

Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice

Published

2 days ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

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.

Politics

APC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide

Published

2 days ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the resumption of its electronic membership registration exercise across the country.

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.

Politics

AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR

Published

4 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has declared that with the six South-South states now being controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the zone is set to return the highest votes cast for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

He stated this in Asaba, Delta State, at the party’s zonal congress, noting that the coming together of the governors of the region in the APC was made possible by its zonal Vice Chairman, Chief Victor Giadom.

Senator Akpabio also praised the outgone zonal chieftains of the party, saying they worked hard for the unity of the party and the zone.

“Now that we are complete and focused, we will be the geo-political zone in Nigeria that will turn out the highest votes in 2027 for President Tinubu.

“In the last 46 years or so, our region had not produced a senate president. But under President Tinubu, the South-South region is recognised. We thank the president for giving the South-South a senate president”, he said.

In his speech, the Bayelsa State Governor, and Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, Senator Douye Diri, described the APC adoption of the consensus option for electing its officials as the best way to foster unity and consolidation in the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He expressed satisfaction that politically, the South-South zone now speaks with one voice under the APC, stressing the need for the region to be part of the decision-making process at the national level.

The governor recalled that when he contested for the governorship in 2019, the delegate election process for primaries in the political parties made the exercise rancorous, saying

the slogan then was that without delegates, there will be no governor, but that that has since changed with the consensus mode.

“I like to align myself with the previous speakers on the unity of the South-South zone. In this region politically, the South-South now speaks with one voice. This is important because of the strategic nature of the zone.

“If you are not on the sharing table, in terms of decision-making process, you will be left behind. We need to be united that we will not allow petty divisions among us.

“Let us work together for the unity and protection of APC in the South-South and God willing, all our candidates will come out tops in the 2027 elections. There cannot be anything better than a united family.

“Let me congratulate President Bola Tinubu for his remarkable achievements so far. Political events such as elective congresses like this were usually filled with rancour and violence. But, today, we have adopted the consensus model to produce our party executives from the wards to the regional level”, Senator Diri said.

In their goodwill messages, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and others all spoke on unity of purpose to be able to re-elect the President for a second term.

Meanwhile, Chief Victor Giadom was returned as the party’s zonal chairman alongside seven other zonal executives of the party.

Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, moved the motion for the dissolution of the immediate past zonal executive of the party and was seconded by his Bayelsa State counterpart, Abraham Ingobere.

In his remarks, the reelected zonal Vice Chairman, Chief Victor Giadom, said the gathering of the six governors of the region, lawmakers, ministers and other major stakeholders was an indication of the zone’s commitment to return all APC candidates in next year’s poll.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa