Politics
Tambuwal Hails Wike On Projects
The just concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 56th
Conference took the lead among other activities in Government House last week. The bar conference which commenced on Sunday last week witnessed the presence of over 5,000 lawyers nationwide and lasted for one week in Port Harcourt.
On Sunday, when the NBA Conference opened, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abuubakar Malami with his Rwandan counterpart, Busigye Johston were present.
Governor Wike used the opening session to list the achievements of his administration, which include opening the courts after one year it was shut down, appointing a new Chief Judge of the state and inaugurating the legislature among others.
He said the hosting of the lawyers conference was among other national and international events being hosted by the state to show that the myriads of negative media reports on the state of security were false and deliberate attempt to show Rivers State in bad light.
The NBA Conference continued on Tuesday last week with Governor Nyesom Wike hosting the bar to a dinner in Government House. In attendance were legal luminary Onueze Okocha, Olisa Akpakoba, Chairman of the NBA Technical Committee, Oladejoh Laminkara, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
Last Wednesday, Governor Wike attended the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 9 at the Institute of Security Service, Abuja, where he addressed participants and picked holes in what he described as overbearing federal powers which slow down development in the states. But before then his wife, Justice Suzette Wike had played host to international Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) where she called for the enforcement of laws protecting Women and Children. Justice Wike spoke at a special session of FIDA during the 56th NBA Conference.
The Rivers State first lady had repeated the same call last week Friday in Government House when she granted audience to African Women Layers Association. She said, “the time has come for African Women to look towards moving things forward for ourselves. We have done well for ourselves, but there is still much to do”.
Last Thursay, hundreds of Nigerian lawyers attending the bar conference in Port Harcourt joined Chief Wike to inspect completed and ongoing project sites in the state.
Projects visited by the lawyers include, the NBA Law Centre, Federal High Court, the upgraded Dr Nabo Graham Douglas Faculty of Law building in the State University of Science and Technology, the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park among others. The lawyers who were impressed with the governor’s milestones a year after assuming office spoke glowingly of Chief Wike. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Jibrin Okutepa observed that the governor has lived up to expectations of the people of the state.
The 56th NBA Conference came to a close last week Friday and Governor Wike, his counterpart from Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal and former Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso attended the closing ceremonies.
Shortly after the NBA conference ended, Governor Tambuwal joined Chief Wike to inaugurate completed projects. The first for the day was the Rumualoghu/Alakahia Link Road. From there both governors headed to Okrika Town to unveil the expanded and refurbished Okrika ATC landing jetty.
During the inauguration of the newly refurbished jetty Governor Tambuwal remarked that, “I see that Governor Wike is a man of the people who is committed to the development of the state”.
Saturday last week witnessed the presence of Governor Wike to attend the burial ceremonies of Sub-Chief Josiah Minakam at Okrika in Okrika Local Government Area. The burial also had in attendance former first lady, Dame Patience and former Governor Peter Odili.
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.