Politics

Etche People Hail Amaechi

Published

12 years ago

November 4, 2013

The people of Etche Local Government Area last week
poured economiums on Governor Chibuike Amaechi for elevating two traditional stools in the area to a first class status. The third one was raised to a second class status and covers Ozuzu Clan.
Commending Governor Amaechi for the gesture, Eze Ogbuga 1 of Etche, Chief Ambrose Nwuzi said “as an individual and for all the things Amaechi has done for Etche people this one is the climax”.
He revealed that the agitation for the elevation of traditional stools in the area began during the regime of Group Captin Sam Ewang, and that even when Dr. Peter Odili’s administration came to power, the Etche people tried without success .
Nwuzi said that the Etche people were happy with the governor for elevating the stools of Agwuru Igbo-Etche and Mba Clans to first class status, but noted that more stools needed to be upgraded in Omuma, Ulakwo and Ozuzu Clans.
On his part, Onyisi Agwuru of Ozuzu Clan, Eze M.R.A. Amaechi noted that the governor had shown love to the people of Etche, “We are praying that he overcomes all – calamity before him”, he prayed.
Returning to the State on Monday, Governor Chibuike Amaechi convened a State Executive Council meeting. Shortly after the meeting, Commissioner for Information and Communications dismissed claims by the Grassroot Democratic Initiative (GDI) that six Commissioners were about to defect to the group.
Semenitari described the claims as false and misleading, as she assured that the State Executive Council was still intact, strong and committed to the administration of Governor Amaechi.
Governor Amaechi on Tuesday attended the inauguration of the Sokoto State University in Sokoto. The governor returned to the state after the programme.
On the same Tuesday, Senator representing Rivers South-East District, Magnus Ngei Abe gave stipends to 40 law graudates from the Senatorial District who are to proceed to the Law School.
Abe explained that the gesture was not a constituency project, but rather a way of assisting indigent students in pursuing their studies.
Recalling his experience, Abe said: “I almost did not go to Law School. I had gotten a friend who had agreed I would live in their house, and I had gotten some support but even the transport to go to Lagos I did not have”.
He continued, “I have come to realise that when you are at a critical junction, it is not N1 million that would help you rather it’s that small intervention coming at the very time that you need it that constitutes the difference between success and failure”.
The governor was at hand to receive President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa. Dr. Jonathan was in the State to attend the burial of the late foster mother of his wife, Mrs Charity Fyneface Oba.
Shortly after receiving the President and his entourage, Governor Amaechi and his Bayelsa State counterpart, Seriake Dickson joined the President in a helicopter that flew them to Okrika Town, venue of the burial.
President Jonathan and his wife were conferred with Chieftaincy titles by the Amadabo of Ogoloma, HRH Emmanuel Obudibo (Ikwo V). Dr. Jonathan was conferred with the title of “Se Lolia 1”, meaning moonlight of the nation, while his wife was given the title of “Se Yingibo”, mother of the nation.
On Friday, Governor Amaechi received Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Senate President, David mark and other state functionaries who were in the state to attend the last burial rites of Mrs Fyneface Oba, foster mother of the first lady. The governor also attended the funceral service held at Okrika at the weekend.

Politics

Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

2 weeks 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