Politics
‘Wike Has Beaten Odds To Succeed’
Chairman, Caretaker Com-mittee of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Sir Boma Brown has commended Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for beating the odds to succeed in three years.
Brown, who spoke to newsmen at the sidelines of the State Governor’s accountability Forum last Tuesday in Port Harcourt opined that Chief Wike had displayed focus and determination in leading the state for the past three years.
“If you look at the amount of money he has received and projects on ground, you will definitely appreciate the governor”, Brown observed.
The Opobo/Nkoro CTC Chairman stated that apart from the lean resource which the governor has utilised effectively, the opposition has fought tirelessly but unsuccessfully to derail him.
He said: “If not for his doggedness and determination, the pressure from the opposition would have weakened him. In the past three years he has shown that he is prepared, if not, there would have been nothing to show on ground”.
Brown further asserted that, “the police, army and other security agencies are not on his side, rather we have seen in the past three years that all the security agencies are all politicians in uniform. That is why we have seen that the only way to commit crime and go scot free is to belong to the All Progressives Congress (APC)”.
Carpeting the APC for playing bitter politics and seeking to destabilise the state government, Brown said that the opposition had lost touch with the people.
“My problem with the APC in the state is that they are still behaving as if there is election, forgetting that elections have come and gone and what they should do is to provide constructive opposition and support good governance”, he explained.
He praised Wike for helping to grow democracy in Rivers State by giving women folk a sense of belonging in politics.
Brown described as unprecedented the decision by the governor to ensure that the upcoming local government councils have 23 vice chairperson as women and three female councilors for each local government area.
The CTC chairman said such policy will help transform the state and include women in decision making across board.
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.