Politics
Quality Assurance Agency Bill Suffer’s Setback
A bill seeking to establish the Rivers State Quality Assurance Agency has suffered another setback at the floor of the Statehouse of Assembly.
The bill which was the only item on the order paper for the lawmaker deliberation on Monday’s plenary session, could not sail through when majority of the members adduced several reasons to terminate adduced the centinuation of the bill.
Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon. Otelemaba Amachree, ruled that since the leader who presented the executive bill has tractically requested for its withdrawal and majority are opposed to it, the leader should be allowed to repackaged the bill for fresh presentation.
Hon Amachree opined that since members have agreed that the bill needs “surgical operation” the House leader should therefore liaise with the executive arm to fineturn the bill before its re-entry into the chamber.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Chidi Lloyd and leader of the House, urged the lawmakers to take a deep breath to study the bill carefully, stressing that similar provisions in the bill are contained in the education law already passed and assented to.
Hon. Lloyed noted that the ministry of Education needs to explain the intentment of the bill to enable the law itself pass quality assurance rather than to do the ritual of passing through the process.
Hon Fredrick Anabaraba representing Akuku Toru constituency II, said the bill as drafted does not contain any quality provision rather contains duplication, pointing out that the bill should not fix school fees and salary of private school staff for the proprietors.
The lawmaker representing Etche constituency II, Hon. Golden Chioma, argued that the bill negates the principle of free enterprise, noting that the Assembly does not have the powers to fix salaries and school fees.
He remarked that the bill needs “surgical operation” to enable it conform with democratic norms, while Hon. Godstime Horsfall, Asari-Toru constituency II, said the bill needs repackaging because there are ambiguities which do not have anything to add to the education laid.
On his part, Hon Martin Amaewuale Obio/Akpor constituency I,submitted that there is need to give the bill a chance after purging it of existing contradictions to avoid arbitrariness.
The Deputy leader Hon. Nname Ewor, noted that modern trend in education shows a shift from western to modern education, stressing that quality assurance law will cure the existing lapses.
He posited that the perfect arm of the bill is to create an Agency that would produce the child that will face the challenges of today squarely.
It would be recalled that the bill suffered similar fate during the first session of the seventh Assembly, when it died at the committee report stage.
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.