Politics
RVHA Orders Restoration Of Auditor-General’s Salary …Screens Commissioner Nominees
The Rivers State House of
Assembly has ordered the Accountant-General of the State to restore with immediate effect the salary of the Auditor-General of Local Governments, Mr. Gregory Chima Anyanwu. .
The Speaker, Rt.Hon Otelemaba Dan-Amachree gave the order after the House Committee on Judiciary had presented its reports on the motion on alleged date of retirement of Mr Anyanwu.
Dan-Amachree cautioned the Head of Service, Samuel LongJohn, against taking actions that have the potentials of leading ‘to conflict of functions between his office and any other government office.
While presenting the committee’s reports on the floor of the House, the chairman of the committee, Hon Golden Chioma, said the committee got briefs from the Secretary to the State Government, representative of the Chairman, Civil Service Commission, the Head of Service and the Auditor -General of Local Governments.
Hon Chioma informed the House that the petitioner told the committee that he was due for retirement on 12th March, 2017 and not in 2011 in accordance with the letter of his appointment as the Auditor-General of Local Governments signed by Hon Magnus Ngei Abe and late Chief A.E.Egobueze, the then Secretary to the State Government and former Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, respectively.
The lawmaker explained that the Auditor-General hinged his position on Section 127(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), stressing that the fact that he was issued with a fresh appointment invalidated his previous service year.
The committee chairman supported his argument with the alleged submission of the State Secretary to the State Govenrment, Mr George Feyi, that once a serving employee of government is appointed into a higher public office by the Governor upon confirmation by the House of Assembly, the new appointment invalidates the previous one by the reason of the issuance of a fresh letter of appointment to him.
The Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Sir Ngo Martyns-Yellow, in his submission to the Assembly, frowned at the decision of the Head of Service, saying that he has no powers to retire or disengage staff.
Martyns-Yellow who was represented by a commissioner, Akekue Melubari informed the committee that the Head of Service has no business retiring any civil servant since it did not recruit or appoint.
The House, however, directed the Accountant-General to restore the salary of the Auditor-General with immediate effect.
Hon Victoria Wobo Nyeche had in the 169 legislative day of the Assembly read a protest letter to the House written by the Auditor-General of Local Governments, Anyanwu, protesting that he was wrongly retired and the Speaker thereafter committed the motion to committee.
The House also on Wednesday screened two commissioner nominees, Mr Isobo Jack and Dr ThankGod Ode, who are expected to replace the vacant positions in the state executive council.
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.