Politics
‘Opposition Tearing Rivers PDP Apart’
Not withstanding the continued lull in legislative business in the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Leyii Kwanee, last Tuesday called on the national body of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to intervene in the expulsion of 18 members of the party in Rivers State. He said the call became imperative following what he called “the manner the party is being destroyed in the State”.
Hon. Kwanee described the development as a grand design by key members of the opposition in the State, who he alleged had infiltrated the PDP with intent to incapacitate the party. Such opposition members according to him include Dr. Abiye Sekibo and Jerry Needam who, he said, had been strong critics of the party, but who now make decisions and speak for the party.
He buttressed this with recent actions taken by the Felix Obuah-led State PDP, saying that such actions are intended to destroy the party “beyond redemption”. The essence, he said, is to make the party ineffectual in the State when eventually the national body intervenes in the crisis.
The Deputy Speaker stated further that the expulsion of the 18 members was not in accordance with Article 21 (4) l5)&(6) of the constitution of the party. According to him, the affected members ought to be suspended and informed in writing about their offences, and the allegation against them should have been properly investigated, giving them fair hearing. He noted that given that due process was not taken, the action of the party amounts to “a gross violation of the constitution of the party and principle of natural justice”.
The Deputy Speaker stated that the antics of the opposition became clear from the time the Obuah-led executive started absorbing the opposition and giving them prominence.
In another development, Hon. Kwanee called on the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, to expedite action to complete the East-West Road in order to save the lives of people plying the road. He made the call shortly after visiting the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Fred Igwe, in the hospital. The Commissioner was attacked by armed men along the East-West road.
Blaming the poor state of the road for the attack on the Commissioner, the Deputy Speaker said if the road had been in good condition, armed men could not have had their way on the spot the Commissioner was attacked. According to him, Mr. Igwe said he was attacked at a very bad spot on the road.
Noting that many people had been victims of the bad road either through armed attack or road accident, the Deputy Speaker recalled the death of the mother of the wife of the President along the same road and the tanker explosion.
While condemning the slow pace of work on the road, Kwanee urged the Minister to give the road the attention it deserves by not only being on the neck of the contractors, but also visiting the peoject sites regularly and disbursing payments accordingly.
He said the people of the Niger Delta region will be happy if that road is completed.
He also condemned the increasing crime wave in the State and called on the police to come to the rescue of the people.
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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