Politics
Cleric Flays Anenih’s Appointment As Npa Board Chairman
A cleric, Apostle Eugene Ogu has flayed the recent appointment of Chief Tony Anenih as the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, describing it as an insult to young intellectuals across the country.
Ogu, who is the founder of Abundant Life Evangel Mission (ALEM), based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital described Anenih as father and an elder statesman who should be seen to be giving pieces of advice.
Speaking at a special sermon to mark the end of 2012, he expressed dismay that such appointment by President Goodluck Jonathan was a sign of failure by the government of the day.
Ogu, who is the former Rivers State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, wondered why the Federal Government cannot demonstrate the capacity that it can groom young and sincere people as future leaders.
According to Ogu, “I don’t see the reason for Mr. President to appoint Tony Anenih as Chairman of the NPA Board. Anenih should be a father by now and man who should sit and begin to give advice.
“His (Anenih’s) appointment is an insult to the mentality of the many young Nigerian intellectuals and youths who have the capacity of modern day ways of handling things. Anenih is an elderly man. He should be left to rest.
“They (Government) should show that it has the capacity of bringing up sons and daughters for positions of trust. For them (likes of Anenih) to be there, is a sign of complete failure of Government; that they have no product, they have nobody they have brought up to become leaders.
“At this age, Mr President is still recycling the old people. It shows that the (President) has lost sensitivity to the present day challenges of Nigeria,” Ogu noted.
On Jonathan’s recent remark that he will do better this year, the cleric said, “There is no point for Mr. President to say I will do better in 2013. You don’t say it, you act it. Appointing Anenih as Chairman of NPA does not show that he (Jonathan) will do better.”
Apostle Ogu, therefore warned governments at all level to be careful, pointing out that “If they provoke Nigerian masses to rise up in protest, they (Government) won’t contain the outcome.”
He therefore charged the Jonathan led apex government to tackle the issue of corruption in the country frontally, as well as power, bad roads and the lingering poverty in the land, saying God’s intervention was near.
“Nigerians should watch out because God’s divine intervention is near. People in places of authority will be removed; some will step down, because what God is going to do in 2013 will shock Nigerians,” Ogu said.
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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