Politics
Anabraba: Court Restrains RVHA
The Rivers State House of Assembly (RVHA) had only a plenary session last week during which it screened and confirmed on Wednesday nominees for the State Road Maintenance Agency sent to it by Governor Nyesom Wike.
Also at that Wednesday plenary session, the Assembly passed into law, a “Bill for a law to amend the Rivers State Education (Return of Schools) Law No. 1 of 2005”.
Before passing the bill, the House confirmed Surveyor Sam Agwor (Emohua) as Chairman designate for the Rivers State Road Maintenance Agency, while Mr. Clapton Ogolo (Opobo) was approved as the Secretary of the Agency.
Others confirmed include: Mr. Ability Nweke (Etche), Madam kate Ngbarna (Tai), Mr. Kinikanwo Amadi (Port Harcourt), Queen Anthony (Ahoada), and Peter Abemi (Degema).
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani adviced confirmed nominees to be committed to their assignments.
Announcing the passing of the education bill, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi–Owaji Ibani said the House only amended Section 3, paragraphs “6” “B” and Section 14 of the Principal Law No. 1 of 2005.
According to him, the amended sections empowered the State Government to support and to render assistance to returned schools in terms of development.
The new amendment law explained that the word “Assistance means anything done or given by the government including financial donation or provision of infrastructures to support the development of a returned school”.
The new law was cited as the Rivers State Education (Return of Schools) Amendment Bill, 2017.
On the same Wednesday plenary session, the Assembly set up a three-man adhoc committee to interface with relevant government agencies on the recent fire outbreak that rendered over a thousand people homeless at Bonny island, in Bonny Local Government Area of the state.
Members of the Committee include, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu, Member – representing Omuma Constituency, Chairman, Hon. Christian Ahiakwu (ONELGA) Constituency) Member, and Hon. Abinye Pepple (Bonny), member.
The committee was given seven days to submit its report to the House for urgent measures on the effect of the Bonny inferno in the state.
Also, at the pleanary session, the Speaker announced the receipt of a court order secured by an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Akuku-Trou Constiency 11, Hon. Benibo Anabraba restraining both the House and the APC from removing him as minority leader of the Assembly.
Ibani, who read the court order at the plenary session, said the House, as arm of government would never ignore any court order that was in line with the Nigerian Constitution.
He advised the House to always seek the path of peace in resolving issues rather than resort to violence and rancour.
On Friday,the House Committee on Education led by Hon. Farah Dagogo announced a date for public hearing on a Bill for law to establish the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital in the state.
According to the Committee, the public hearing was scheduled to hold Wednesday February 8, 2017 at the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex in Port Harcourt.
The Committee urged the general public including private sectors, stakeholders, Institutions, and individuals to submit their memoranda to the office of the Clerk of the House before the scheduled date.
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.