Politics
Wike, Lawmakers Flag Off Projects
Activities at the Rivers State House of Assembly last week paused a little following the flag-off of projects by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike who was accompanied by members of the House.
Before the week, the House, in its emergency plenary session on Friday November 18, 2016, adjourned its sitting to Tuesday December 22 last week, which unfortunately could not hold as scheduled following the flagging-off of some projects, in Etche, Okrika Local Government Areas among others.
Addressing journalists in that respect, the House Committee Chairman on Information and Training, Hon. Samuel Ogeh said the House could not sit and deliberate on plenary. Session last week because of the chains of programmes of the state Government that needed the attention and cooperation of the lawmakers.
However, despite the tight schedule of member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Chairman House Committee on Environment, Hon. Christian Ahiakwu was able to make out time to inform journalists, covering the Assembly about the intention of the 8th Assembly to shift the environment Summit earlier splated for December 6, 2016 in Port Harcourt.
Hon. Ahiakwa said the decision to shift the date of the environmental submit to be organised by the Rivers State House of Assembly in Partnership with the Ministry of Environment, and the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) was reached at a joint meeting of the three organs held in Port Harcourt last week.
The House Committee Chairman noted that the summit was postponed to allow the December 10 legislative rerun election in the state to come and go and allow members to be fully involved in the campaigns.
He said, the date for the summit would be made known in due course, regretting any inconvenience the shift may have caused the public.
On Thursday, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adams Dabotorudima, was at Okochiri in Okrika with Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to kick-off the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Okochiri road and Okrika General Hospital.
Speaking at the occasion, the Assembly Speaker assured the people of Okrika his constituency that the long abandoned road in Okochiri would enhance economic development as well expose the area to social and commercial activities in the state.
He commended the Governor for the timely gesture and urged the people of Okrika, to maintain their voting pattern and ensure that they vote the People Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming re-run election in the area to reciprocate the governor’s kind gesture in the area.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dabotorudima also returned to Okochiri where he attended the wedding of the daughter of High Chief, Oteke Tom.
Other members of the 8th Assembly and prouncment politicians graced the event.
Enoch Epelle
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.
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