Politics
Persistent Flooding Worries Legislators
Penultimate week, the state House of Assembly passed the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission Amendment Bill 2018 to law. The House, as majority of the lawmakers threw their weight behind the proposal to give room for all to aspire to the office.
The speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani said the law seeks to remove any segregating clause, as it allow all qualified persons to aspire, and those in service can also grow within the rules.
Last week, however, after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) local government election primaries, the House sat on Thursday.
The issue of flooding and environmental challenges posed by poor urban planning dominated debate on the floor of the House.
The debate over haphazard urban planning and the attendant flooding that trails it stems from a petition sent to the House by Eligbolo Community and residents, who over the years have faced constant flooding that sacks many people from their houses.
Majority Leader of the House, Hon Martins Amaewhule and Hon. Michael Chinda took the lead in the debate over the petition, after chairman of the committee detailed to investigate the matter, Hon. Bariene Deeyah of Khana Constituency I submitted his report.
Hon. Chinda had argued that the flooding was as a result of poor urban planning and building control by the local authorities. He wondered how the authorities would allow people to build on natural canals.
The lawmaker representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II insisted that while the report was detailed there was still some hiccups in the areas where there are no specifications, as to identify properties or houses that are responsible for blocking the free flow of water in the neighbourhood.
Chief Whip of the Assembly and lawmaker for Ogu/Bolo State Constituency, Hon Evans Bipi urged the House to compel on the Bariene led-committee to go back and do a proper report that will be specific. This he believed will help the legislators debate and arrive at a better conclusion.
In his response, Hon Bariene Deeyah observed that the committee did a through job, but rather that some aspects of the report were very technical, since they are in tandem with the law. Deeyah stressed that, “the recommendation of the committee is that the law should be applied”.
Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Ibani in concluding debate on the matter decried the dangers posed by flooding in most parts of the state.
He said: “It’s my hope that every resolution should be taken seriously because the report touches on the lives of the people and their livehood. The issue of perennial or flash flooding is serious, so it’s a report we must take seriously.
Further debate on the matter was adjourned to the next sitting this week, as the majority leader thanked his colleagues for the debate to give the report speedy attention.
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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