Politics
Aguma’s Death: Jonathan, Saraki, Tambuwal Condole Wike
Last Week, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt hosted three top personalities: former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.
The top national figures who visited Wike on seperate days came to condole the Governor and people of the state over the death of the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN).
Each of them extolled the stirling qualities of the late legal ICON, saying he contributed his best to the state and national development.
The Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal who visited penultimate Sunday described Aguma as “a rare gem, excellent lawyer and good family man who left worthy legacies.
“He was a very vibrant, very intelligent legal huminary who not only served Rivers State but the Federation”, he said.
On Friday, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki who was accompanied by Senator Ben Murray Bruce, former chairman of PDP, Dr Kawu Baraje, Dr Doyin Kupe, and former Governor of Kogi State, Governor Captain Idris Wada, also condoled the Governor and people of the state.
Issues surrounding the late Attorney-General continued to dominate activities. On Wednesday, Governor Wike led members of the State Executive Council to the Port Harcourt Airport, Omagwa, to receive the remains of the Attorney General who died in a London Hospital.
The Governor has announced September 14 and 15, 2018 as burial days of the diseased.
On Thursday, Governor Wike urged all the Presidential aspirants of PDP to forge a common front to sack president Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and end what he called the present suffering Nigerians were passing through in his administration.
He made the call when a presidential aspirant and former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, paid him a condolence visit over the death of Aguma.
Wike said: “What we are saying is that all of us must put our heads together to remove this government that does not mean well for Nigerians.”
Another major event in Brick House last week was the visit of Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria, Sean Hoy and the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ketil Karlson.
The ambassadors met with Governor Wike and condemned the violence that married the Phalg III constituency election.
While Hoy called on the Federal Government to take steps to ensure that elections are conducted within the rule of law, Karlson urged relevant authorities to check a repeat of the violence that married the phalga III constituency election.
The Irish ambassador who noted that they were in Rivers State to participate in a programme organised by INEC to improve youth participation in elections, urged the youth to register to exercise their right to vote.
Wike on Saturday announcement the release of N500 million to the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni .
He made the announced at the convocation ceremony held in the school and reiterated the commitment of his administration to continue to expand both access and quality of education at tertiary level by injecting more resources for provision of necessary infrastructure.
At the event, the university’s main Library, named after Dame Patience Jonathan, was unveiled. There were also commissioning of Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Centre of Excellence among other projects.
Chris Oluoh
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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