Politics

Gov Wike Signs Two Bills Into Law

Published

5 years ago

June 28, 2021

Activities commenced last week in Government House, Port Harcourt, with the signing of two crucial bills into laws by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The bills were ; the Public Procurement (amendment) Law No.1 of 2021 and Contributory Health Protection Programme Law No.3 of 2020.
At the event which took place at Government House last Monday, Governor Wike said with the signing of the Contributory Health Protection Programme Bill into law, residents and people of the state desiring health insurance could now participate in the scheme.
He also noted that with the amended law on public procurement, government would easily fulfil its contractual obligations and check problem of payment of low per centage of project sums which often led to the demand for contract variation by contractors and the attendant delay of project execution.
Last week also witnessed more inauguration of completed projects as well as flag- off of new projects by the administration of Governor Wike , the Mr Quality Project of Nigeria.
Projects inaugurated last week included 16.2 kilometers Umueze-Umuogba-Umuokpurukpu-Umueke-Umunju-Eberi Road in Omuma Local Government Area, the Pabod Breweries By-Pass Road and Oginigba-Ordinance Link Road at Trans Amadi in Port Harcourt.
Those flagged off were the Trans- Kalabari Road Phase 1 in Degema Local Government Area, Reclamation of 52 hectares of land for the Abonnema and Obonoma towns in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, and the 11.6 Km Omerelu Internal Roads in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The Rivers State Chief Executive who stated that insecurity in the country has not hindered development in the state stressed that his administration has tackled insecurity headlong thereby creating an enabling environment for smooth delivery of quality department projects.
He announced that his administration would reconstruct the Umuakali-Eberi Road in Omuma Local Government Area in appreciation of the remarkable level of loyalty to PDP by the people of the area especially Hon. Kelechi Nwogu, the lawmaker representing Omuma State Constituency in Rivers State House of Assembly.
While inaugurating the road project in Omuma, former Senate President of Nigeria, Senator Adolphus Wabara, hailed the Rivers State Governor’s high performance and remarked that the Governor had redefined governance and broken the unfortunate jinx of non-performance associated with second tenure givernors in the country.
According to Senator Wabara, while it is in the habit of second tenure givernors to slow down actions, governor Wike remained unrelenting, working with the same zeal of a Governor in first term. This , he said, stands Wike out as a much sought- after leader who should be consulted in solving critical national issues related to governance.
Rivers State recorded another landmark victory last week as the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Hon Justice Taiwo Taiwo ordered the Federal Government to pay her $1,114,556,610.00, and to also pay the sum of $2,258,411,586.00 to Akwa Ibom State.
This was in relation to production sharing contracts arising from Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract.
Justice Taiwo who delivered the judgement in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/174/2021 filed by the Attorney General of Rivers State and Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State against the Attorney General of the Federation, also awarded a post judgement interest of 10 per cent in favour of the plaintiffs.
Another major event in Brick House within the week under review was the approval by the State Executive Council to the offer made by Governor Wike to build, furnish and deliver new campus of Nigerian Law School in Port Harcourt to the Council of Legal Education.
Recall that Governor Wike had during inauguration of some projects by of the Rivers State Government at Nigerian Law School, Yenegoa Campus recently, requested that a campus of the school be sited in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. He promised to build a brand new campus within six months, if his request was granted.
Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Zacchaeus Adango , who briefed newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting held last Saturday at Government House Port Harcourt, explained that one of the conditions demanded by the Council of Legal Education was that the offer made by Rivers State must receive the unambiguous approval of Rivers State Executive Council.
“ I am happy to announce that the Rivers State Executive Council met today and at the end of the Council’s meeting and upon due consideration of the memo presented by the Hon Attorney General, Rivers State Executive Council has formally approved the offer made by the Governor to build, furnish and deliver a brand new campus of the Nigerian Law School in Port Harcourt to the Council of Legal Education”, Adango said.
He expressed optimism that the new campus will promote legal education and re-establish Rivers State on the map as the centre of legal education in the country.
Also last week, President, Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) , Hajia Hajara Alkali Baba, paid Gov Wike a courtesy visit to thank him, the Government and people of Rivers State for providing succour for the widows of deceased police officers.

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

5 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