Politics
2013 Appropriation Bill Enters C’ttee Stage
Rivers State House of Assembly has committed the 2013 Appropriation Bill into the various standing Committees of the House to facilitate sectoral analysis of the budget estimates.
Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree, allowed the bill to move to committee stage, after exhaustive debates at its second reading and urged the lawmakers to commence work immediately for quick conclusion.
Hon. Amachree advised the committees to invite commissioners and relevant heads of government departments to defend their estimates.
The speaker indicated that any person who refused to honour the invitation should be reported to the House for necessary sanctions including zero allocation to the sector.
He thanked the lawmakers for their cooperation and urged them to work assiduously to enable the House pass the budget in record time.
“It is important that we conclude the budget soon to allow government fund on-going road projects and other infrastructure, particularly now that we have dry weather,” Hon. Amachree stated.
Leading debate on the Appropriation, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, justified the performance of the 2012 budget approved by the House, noting that government efforts in agriculture, education and health was in tandem with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Hon. Augustine Ngo, representing Abua/Odual, urged the Assembly to carry out serious oversight functions to ensure that funds appropriated were applied properly by the operators.
Hon. Ngo, expressed happiness that the long awaited Abua/Odual Road had been reflected in the current budget proposal but regretted that out of about N8 billion projected, only a paltry sum of N200m was provided in the budget estimate for the 2013.
On his part, Hon. Michael Okey-Chinda, Obio/Akpor 11, said the budget did not provide for improvement in existing government secondary schools in the state as most of the schools are dilapidated inspite of huge provisions in the education sector.
He also urged the government to intervene in the housing sector that had suffered neglect within the past years, adding that efforts be made to complete all on-going roads projects in the state.
The Deputy Leader and member representing Ahoada East 1, Hon. Nname Ewor, said the 2013 budget ignored the people of the area, as only a negligible percentage of money was allocated to the constituency.
“My people are not part of the 2013 budget, I want to register the displeasure of my constituents as nothing meaningful was allocated to the area, the Assembly should therefore send back the budget estimates to the executive arm”, Hon. Ewor declared.
Meanwhile, the screening of Mr. Dickson Omunakwe, a Commissioner nominee to replace the sacked Commissioner for Special Duties was again postponed to Monday next week when the House reconvenes for business.
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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