Politics

Ogonis Confer Mene Kwalenu 1 Of Ogoni Title On Wike

Published

5 years ago

May 17, 2021

The people of Ogoni Ethnic Nationality has conferred on the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, with the highly referred chieftaincy title of “ Mene Kwalenu 1 Of Ogoni”. The title when translated in English means a benevolent king.

President of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, King G N K Giniwa, stated this last Saturday, at Bori, during a grand reception organised by the people of Ogoni in honour of Governor Wike.

President of Kagote, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah , said the reception was organised in appreciation of the so much benefits Ogoni people got from Governor Wike’s administration in terms of projects executed in various parts of Ogoni as well as the numerous appointments given to sons and daughters of Ogoni nation.

Governor Wike expressed appreciation for the huge support his administration had beed enjoying from the Ogoni people and urged leaders in the area to endeavor to fight against cultism and other acts of criminality. He assured them of sustained determination of his administration towards more development in Ogoniland.

Also last week, Governor Wike announced that some of the gunmen responsible for the murder of security personnel in the state had been apprehended.

The governor who disclosed the cheering news in a state broadcast last Wednesday said the murderers would face the full wrath of the law.

He further explained that after a review of the prevailing security situation in the state, particularly the effect of the curfew on citizens, the State Security Council decided to relax the curfew time a little for Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt local government areas as well as the Port Harcourt International Airport.

“ Consequently, the current night time curfew in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas will now be effective from 8:30 p m to 6:00 am from Sunday 16th May 2021, while the starting and closing time-frame of 7.00 pm and 6.00 am still continues in the rest of the state till further notice*, he said.

The governor commended residents of the state for their steadfastness in the midst of the socio-economic discomforts caused by the proactive measures taken by the government to safeguard the state from faceless terrorists.

He urged them to always see security as business of all in the state and to give useful information to the security agencies for their swift actions.

Within the week under review, Governor Wike was among the Southern Givernors who attended a crucial meeting in Asaba, Delta State capital last Tuesday.

Recall that in the said meeting, the Givernors had called for a national dialogue to restructure the country. The governors also resolved that open grazing of cattle be banned across Southern Nigeria.

They also spoke on Apapa gridlock and the need to reactivate activities in other parts of the country among other issues.

The Rivers State Governor felicitated with Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast and the celebration of the Eld-el-fitri last week.

In his Sallah goodwill message, Governor Wike called on all Nigerians to imbibe the lesson of love, justice , fairness, equity, peaceful co-existence with others.

He reiterated the commitment of his administration towards the promotion of religious tolerance and the right environment for the freedom of worship.

Another major event in Brick House last week, was s condolence visit to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Friday Eboka last Monday.

The governor said that the State Government would give N20 million to the families of esch of the eleven police personnel killed by gunmen during the recent attacks of police formations in the state.

He assured the state police command of the state government continued support to the security agencies in the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state who represented the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, thanked the Governor thanked the Governor for assuaging the pain of the bereaved families.

By: Chris Oluoh

Politics

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

Published

2 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

2 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

4 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