Politics
Rivers Pensioners To Get Arears February
Activities in Government House continued on a
campaign note last week, as both the state and national campaigns of the All Progressives Congress (APC) got to a momentum.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi who is the chairman of the Buhari Campaign Organisation took a break from the national campaigns of the APC to attend to state matters. He met with the business community earlier in the week.
On Thursday, Governor Amaechi returned to the state during which he appeared live on a local radio station to speak to the citizenry. During the interview, the governor hinted of plans by the state government to pay pensioners their arrears before the end of February.
The governor used the radio interview to address pressing state matters, which include the outbreak of cholera in Andoni Local Government Area and Bird Flu reported in some parts of the state.
On the cholera outbreak in Andoni Local Government Area, the governor stated that already the Ministry of Health has put the malaise in check, but disclosed plans to build boreholes in some parts of the local government to reduce further outbreak.
The governor also spoke on the outbreak of Bird Flu, stating that the state government has directed that affected birds in infected farms be slaughtered to avert further spread of the virus.
Later on the same day, Governor Amaechi attended the APC guber rally in Etche Local Government Area. He urged the people of Etche to vote out the PDP-led Federal Government for ceding their oil wells to Abia State.
In the words of the governor, “I will tell you why President Jonathan dislikes the Etche people. You can see that the road from Igwuruta to Abia is a federal road and the road from Emerelu to Omuma also belongs to the Federal Government, but none of these roads have been reconstructed. He used the rally to explain why he refused to grant request of the PDP to use the 40,000 capacity Adokiye Amieyesimaka Stadium for its campaign.
“We will not release the newly built Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium to the PDP for their campaigns. This is because the PDP denied the APC from using the Eagle Square in Abuja for its campaign,” Amaechi said.
Commenting on the controversy surrounding the Senior School Certificate of APC presidential hopeful, Gen Buhari, the governor accused the PDP of diversionary tactics, saying that it is not the issue Nigerians want to hear.
“The Peoples Democratic Party should tell Nigerians why they have refused to eradicate corruption in President Jonathan’s administration. Our economy is so bad that the PDP led government cannot account for the missing $2.3 billion,” he stated
Governor Amaechi was back to the state on Saturday after participating in the Presidential APC rally outside the state. The APC rally in Okrika which he was to attend was put off following the bombing of the rally venue by thugs. While the police has confirmed the incident, the party has assured that the Okrika rally will hold on another date yet to be announced.
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.
-
Opinion3 days ago
Ozoro Festival: Tradition or Tyranny?
-
News4 days agoRSG Reiterates Commitment To Youth Dev
-
News24 hours ago
Decentralizing Pipeline Surveillance Poses Greater Dangers To Niger Delta …. Group Warns
-
Politics1 day agoAPC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide
-
Rivers1 day agoCourt Rules Out Interim Administration In Jumbo House, Bonny
-
Oil & Energy4 days agoTranscorp Energy, Renewvia Partner On Renewable Energy Gap
-
Politics3 days ago
RIVERS WOMEN RALLY SUPPORT, CONTINUOUS PRAYERS FOR TINUBU
-
Politics3 days ago
AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR