Politics
Speaker Commends Female Laboratory Scientists
The week under review witnessed many activities by the legislators. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani attended a conference of Female Medical Laboratory practitioners and also met with members of the Assembly Press Corps.
Last Monday the House Committee Chairman on Local Content, Youths and Empowerment. Hon. Igwe Aforji met with the management of West African Containers Terminal over their failure to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) with indigenes of Onne, their host community in Eleme Local Government Area.
Aforji who represents Eleme State Constituency said the committee had summoned the Community Liaison Officer(CLO) of the company to provide all relevant documents of the former MOU and the current one before the committee in their next meeting.
In another development the Civil Society Organisations (CSO) have commended the State House of Assembly for the way it managed the flood menace in the state.
A member of the CSO, Enefaa Georgewill said the lawmakers and the committee were proactive in their duties. So far, he opined that the Assembly has demonstrated that its alive to its oversight functions as the representatives of the people.
He however, urged that more efforts be made to address the rising spate of sea piracy in the riverine areas, especially Bille and Bakana, as he called for more proactive measures to check the criminal activity on the waterways.
Last Thursday, the Speaker in a meeting with members of the Press Corps has advised on the need to report the legislature without bias.
Rt. Hon. Ibani was of the opinion that objective reportage of the Assembly will drive development in the state. He further urged the press to ensure that they focus their attention on areas that will improve the society, considering the role they play as pressmen.
The Speaker assured the press of support towards improving their duties as regards areas they are facing challenges, noting that the Assembly is open and will not hide anything from the public.
Promising to address the current welfare and upkeep of pressmen, Ibani assured that efforts are being made to improve on coverage of the Assembly.
Earlier, Chairperson of the Press Corps, Ijeoma Tubosia in her address through her deputy, James Victor stated that the visit was to intimate the speaker of the emergence of a new exco and to commiserate with him over the death of his brother.
Before the Speaker met with the Press Corp, he attended a conference of Female Medical Laboratory Scientists in Port Harcourt. He charged them to always be fair to those who patronize their facilities.
He commended them for the initiative in organizing themselves, while challenging their male counterparts to do same.
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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