Politics

Wike Clarifies Position On VP Ambition

Published

8 years ago

September 24, 2018

Issues relating to the forth coming National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) billed to hold in Port Harcourt between 5th and 6th October 2018 took a centre stage last week in Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, clarified his position on speculations going round in some quarters that he was secretly harbouring ambition for the Vice President Position in the 2019 election, and that he also influenced choice of Port Harcourt as venue for the PDP National Convention.
Making the clarification, Thursday while speaking with “The Osasu Show” at Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor explained that though some presidential aspirants have offered him such position while consulting with him but that he had always objected to it.
He said the national Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, comes from the same state and geo-political zone, hence it would not be in the interest of Rivers State for him to seek that position.
“Not even in the dream will I seek that position at this point. I am a first term governor and the national chairman of PDP is from my state and the South South “, the governor said, adding that he would not do anything against the interest of Rivers State.
Commenting on the choice of Port Harcourt as venue for the national convention, Wike said the decision was initiated without his knowledge. He said he only attended a meeting where governors and presidential aspirants eventually ratified the resolution.
“But if they want, the national convention can be held at Maiduguri, Yola, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano or any other city. A presidential aspirant that would loose would loose”. He attributed the allegation to those he described as moles amongst the aspirants.
Governor Wike announced some mouth-watering cash prizes to participants and winners of the 2018 edition of the Chief Justice of Nigeria Sports competition during the opening ceremony of the competition, Wednesday, at the Sharks Football Stadium Port Harcourt.
He promised each of the participating teams the sum of N5 million and cash prize of N20 million to best term. To the teams that would emerge second and third, the Governor promised them N15 million and N10 million respectively.
Wike, who lauded the Judiciary for the sports competition, noted that apart from litigations for which the judiciary was known for, there was need for them to get involved in sporting events and other recreational activities.
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onoghen declared that Governor Wike was the best governor in terms of giving support to the Judiciary. The CJN, who was represented at the event by Justice Sidi Bage, while commending the governor, urged other states to emulate what he called “the wonderful example of Rivers State”.
At the opening ceremony, which saw Team Rivers loosing to Supreme Court Team, by a lone goal, the late Attorney-General of Rivers State, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) was given a posthumous award for outstanding support to National Judiciary Games.
During the week under review, the Brick House hosted the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and his Presidential Campaign Organisation on Thursday.
At the meeting, Gov Wike charged the National Assembly to pass the Electoral Act and that if Mr President objects to accenting to the Act, the Lawmakers should not pass the INEC budget. He said: “Once the Electoral Act is passed, if it is not assented to, I urge you people not to pass the INEC budget because INEC budget is based on the Electoral Act. I urged that these things must be taken together.
According to him, as leader of the National Assembly Saraki should do all he could for the Electoral Act to be passed.
Wike also called on PDP delegates from across the country not to elect a disparate person as the party’s presidential aspirant.

Chris Oluoh

Politics

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

Published

15 hours 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

18 hours 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

3 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