Politics
Apc’s Botched Protest, Coup Against Constituted Authority -PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that Monday’s botched protest by some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a coup against a constituted authority capable of causing a breach of the peace.
The State PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah stated this in a statement issued by his media aide, Jerry Needam yesterday and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt.
Obuah described the protest as a gathering of war mongers at the behest of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi ahead of the March 9, 2019 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
The statement reads, “Monday’s protest by the deceived infinitesimal members of a faction of All Progressives Congress, APC, is a coup against a constituted authority aimed at causing breach of the law and order in the State.
“It (the protest) was rather a gathering of war mongers at the instance of the Transportation Minister, Chibuike Amaechi to re-sharpen his arsenals and instruments of war for the March 9th, Governorship and State Assembly elections in the State.
“The purported protest from the beginning to the end was fraught with beating of war drums and issuance of threats of bloodletting similar to the ones preceding the Presidential and National Assembly elections which equally resulted in the killings of innocent Rivers people in the State,” it said.
The State PDP chairman regretted that such threats and incitements were being dished out before security agencies who have turned a blind eye while evil is being perpetuated against the very people they are employed to protest.
He further said that enough means and outlets have been provided in the electoral law to vote for any candidate of one’s choice or against any candidate, pointing out that to incite ‘political thugs’ against a sitting Governor is not only undemocratic, but criminal and evil.
He added, “For some people to allow themselves to continue to be used by a feudal lord that has no regard for the lives of his people nor regret for those he caused their blood to be wasted is to say the least, foolishness and self-dehumanisation”, the State PDP boss declared.
He recalled similar threats and war songs before the Presidential and National Assembly elections by the like of Tonye Princewill, promising to be ‘lawless’ if the APC was excluded from the polls which came to pass, stressing that in like manner, another APC member, one Azubuike Wanjoku has also ‘threatened fire and brimstone during the March 9, Governorship and State Houses of Assembly poll and the security agencies have bluntly refused to nip the imminent mayhem in the bud.’
Obuah reminded the security agencies that their service is to the people and not to a few who have arrogated to themselves the status of an institution, saying service to any other than the mass of Rivers citizens and Nigerians in general is a betrayal of trust and disservice to the citizenry.
Dennis Naku
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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