Politics

Rivers West Endorses Wike For Second Term

Published

8 years ago

August 20, 2018

Government House activities began last Monday with adorning of Eagle feather on the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike in Ahoada by the traditional rulers of Rivers West Senatorial district.
The Eze Ekpeye Logbo, Eze Robinson O. Robson who performed the rite on behalf of traditional rulers of the eight local government areas that make up the district said, Eagle is the King of the birds of the air and the honour is a mark of endorsement on the Governor to go for re-election in 2019 as resolved by sons and daughters of the area.
The people of the area, at the event tagged Rivers West-Senatorial District 2018 Mega Rally endorsed Wike for second term. Political Leader of the District, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba said the resolution was predicated on Wike’s rapid development strides in the local government areas in the district.
The death of the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN0 also affected activities in Government House as individuals, groups and organisations from within and outside the state besieged Brick House to condole the governor and Rivers people over the demise of the legal luminary.
The former Governor of Kano State and Presidential aspirant of the PDP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, paid the governor a condolence visit on Monday night in Government House.
He expressed shock at the news of the Attorney-General’s death and urged the Governor, the people of the state and the bereaved family to take heart.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) visited with his team last Thursday, saying late Aguma left indelible marks on the legal profession.
“Aguma was an accomplished lawyer. He was one of our very serious lawyers that we are proud of, not only in Rivers State but across the country”, Mahmoud said.
The Service Commanders of Rivers State Security Council also paid Governor Wike a condolence visit in Government House last Monday.
The council, led by the Assistant Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service, Zone C, Sanusi Umar, comprised of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Air Force, Nigerian Navy, DSS, Nigeria Police, Civil Defence, NDLEA, Nigerian Immigration Service, Customs and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).
The council described late Aguma as a reliable and industrious public officer who exhibited professionalism in the discharge of his duties and condoled with the government and people of the state.
Also, the Chairman of Daar Communication Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi was in Government House last Friday to pay condolence visit to Governor Wike on the demise of late Aguma.
Dekposi described Late Aguma as a patriot of the First Order and a person committed to the development of Rivers State and the entire South-South geo-political zone.
Wike had announced 14th and 15th September as burial dates for the late Attorney- General and also inaugurated a burial committee for the deceased.
The committee chairman regretted that instead of a committee to celebrate the patriot at this time, such an illustrious son of the state was to be buried. He promised that the committee would do its best to give the deceased a befitting burial.
The committee, made up of 55 persons drawn from the church, legal profession, the family, government and other walks of life, was given next Wednesday to work out a budget for the state burial.
Another major event in Brick House last week was the 70th Birthday celebration of a former governor of the state, or Peter Odili which was organised by Rivers State Government. The ceremony which opened with a thanksgiving ceremony Penultimate Sunday also had a public lecture and state banquet at Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt.
Wike also made a state wide broadcast last Friday to sue for peaceful conduct of Port Harcourt constituency III bye-election and revealed plans by some politicians to disrupt the election.
He warned that any attempt by any person or group to disrupt the election would attract the wrath of the law.
A music mega star, David Adeleke popularly called Davido also visited the Brick House last Friday. The Star who announced his intention to develop music talents in the state solicited for state government’s partnership.

Chris Oluoh

Politics

Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice

Published

4 days ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

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.

Politics

APC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide

Published

4 days ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the resumption of its electronic membership registration exercise across the country.

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.

Politics

AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR

Published

6 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has declared that with the six South-South states now being controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the zone is set to return the highest votes cast for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

He stated this in Asaba, Delta State, at the party’s zonal congress, noting that the coming together of the governors of the region in the APC was made possible by its zonal Vice Chairman, Chief Victor Giadom.

Senator Akpabio also praised the outgone zonal chieftains of the party, saying they worked hard for the unity of the party and the zone.

“Now that we are complete and focused, we will be the geo-political zone in Nigeria that will turn out the highest votes in 2027 for President Tinubu.

“In the last 46 years or so, our region had not produced a senate president. But under President Tinubu, the South-South region is recognised. We thank the president for giving the South-South a senate president”, he said.

In his speech, the Bayelsa State Governor, and Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, Senator Douye Diri, described the APC adoption of the consensus option for electing its officials as the best way to foster unity and consolidation in the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He expressed satisfaction that politically, the South-South zone now speaks with one voice under the APC, stressing the need for the region to be part of the decision-making process at the national level.

The governor recalled that when he contested for the governorship in 2019, the delegate election process for primaries in the political parties made the exercise rancorous, saying

the slogan then was that without delegates, there will be no governor, but that that has since changed with the consensus mode.

“I like to align myself with the previous speakers on the unity of the South-South zone. In this region politically, the South-South now speaks with one voice. This is important because of the strategic nature of the zone.

“If you are not on the sharing table, in terms of decision-making process, you will be left behind. We need to be united that we will not allow petty divisions among us.

“Let us work together for the unity and protection of APC in the South-South and God willing, all our candidates will come out tops in the 2027 elections. There cannot be anything better than a united family.

“Let me congratulate President Bola Tinubu for his remarkable achievements so far. Political events such as elective congresses like this were usually filled with rancour and violence. But, today, we have adopted the consensus model to produce our party executives from the wards to the regional level”, Senator Diri said.

In their goodwill messages, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and others all spoke on unity of purpose to be able to re-elect the President for a second term.

Meanwhile, Chief Victor Giadom was returned as the party’s zonal chairman alongside seven other zonal executives of the party.

Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, moved the motion for the dissolution of the immediate past zonal executive of the party and was seconded by his Bayelsa State counterpart, Abraham Ingobere.

In his remarks, the reelected zonal Vice Chairman, Chief Victor Giadom, said the gathering of the six governors of the region, lawmakers, ministers and other major stakeholders was an indication of the zone’s commitment to return all APC candidates in next year’s poll.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa