Politics

Wike Pledges More Support To Legionnaires

Published

6 years ago

January 20, 2020

Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrated last week nationwide and issues relating to Nigerian War Heroes and the welfare of their families, dominated activities in Government House, Port Harcourt , last week.
At the Jumaat Service to kick off the celebration penultimate Friday, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, declared the commitment of his administration to work with the armed forces to promote security of lives and property.
Represented at the service by his Special Adviser, Mohamed Aribitonye, the Rivers State Governor commended the armed forces for their contributions and promised that Rivers State Government will continue to support ex-servicemen and the families left behind by war heroes who paid the supreme price defending the country.
Governor Wike led officials of the state government to an interdenominational church service marking the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom, penultimate Sunday where he implored members of Nigerian Armed Forces to be professional and apolitical
Speaking at the wreath laying ceremony Wednesday at Isaac Boro park, Port Harcourt, the Governor called on Nigerians to unite and motivate Nigerian Armed Forces to defeat the insurgents in the Northeast.
He donated the sum of N100 million for the scholarship of children of fallen heroes to university level and directed Secretary to Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, to work out modalities on how the state government could further support the Nigerian Legion and soldiers of Rivers State origin who paid the ultimate price.
Recall that last December, Rivers State Government organised an Emblem Appeal Fund Launch at Obi Wali International Conference Center, Port Harcourt for the benefit of the state chapter of the Nigerian Legion.
Chairman, Rivers State Command of the body, Justice Chichi, praised Governor Wike for his extraordinary kindness towards the welfare and support of ex-servicemen and families of fallen heroes.
Also last week, civil servants in the state had reason to celebrate as Governor Wike officially approved the immediate implementation of N30,000 minimum wage and consequential adjustments as approved by the Federal Government.
Another major event in Government House within the week under review was the visit of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare 11 to Governor Wike.
The Oba who led other traditional rulers from Edo on the visit, appreciated the cordial relationship existing between the people of Edo and the people of Rivers State.
He stated that his visit was in line with the tradition established by his late father aimed at strengthening friendly and close relationship between the peoples, noting that history has it that some of the tribes in Rivers State, as Ikwerre, Ahoada and Omoku, among others traced their ancestry to Benin.
He lauded Governor Wike for the huge progress made in the state, stressing that the Governor remained one person he listened to with passion whenever on news.
In his response, Governor Wike thanked the Oba for the visit and remarked that Benin culture is a source of pride in the sense that it remains intact in the face of Western incursion that has influenced other traditions in the country.
He urged the Oba to initiate regular interactions with other traditional rulers in the region to protect the cultural heritage and development in the region.
Still last week , a delegation of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) was in Brick House on a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Governor.
NMA President, Dr Francis Faduyile, excited by the impressive performance of Governor Wike, described the Governor as the Doyen of Infrastructural Development In Nigeria”.
Represented by the association’s Vice President, Dr Ofem Enang, the President commended the cordial relationship existing between the state government and NMA.
He said that the visit was to intimate the Governor about the forthcoming Nigerian Medical Doctors Games to be hosted in Port Harcourt and solicited for the Governor’s support.

Chris Oluoh

Politics

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

Published

5 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

5 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

1 week 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