Politics

Wike Harps On Affordable Housing

Published

10 years ago

September 12, 2016

The 13th Anniversary and Memorial Service of late Bar
rister Bernard Ezenwa at Holy Ghost Parish Mbaise, Imo State opened activities in Government House last week. The memorial service was attended by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, including ex-governor, Dr Peter Odili, his wife, Justice Mary Odili and other top government functionaries.
Chief Wike described the father-in-law of ex-governor Peter Odili as a man who displayed love and accommodated all who came his way. He urged the family to keep the legacy of the late legal practitioner going. On her part the first lady of the state, Justice Eberechi-Suzette thanked friends and well wishers for joining the Ezenwa family during the remembrance of their patriarch.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai came calling on Monday last week. Gen Buratai who described his visit as a home coming recalled that he started his military career in the state and also headed the 2nd Brigade of the Nigerian Bori Camp. He used the visit to intimate the governor of the recent “Operation Crocodile Smile”, which he explained was to boost professionalism and combat readiness of the army. Buratai allayed fears that the exercise was to cause panic, but rather to dislodge criminals and enhance security in the Niger Delta.
But before the Monday visit by the army chief, the Chief of Staff Government House, Engr Ereka Woke had represented the governor at the child dedication of Bishop Solomon Oluwafemi at Mercyland-Living Bible Church.
He restated the resolve of government to massively, develop the state’s infrastructure base since that will touch the lives of the ordinary citizens.
Deputy Governor, Dr Ipilibo Harry-Banigo in a press statement on Monday hailed the action of Chief Nyesom Wike for inviting an APC governor, Hon Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State to commission a project in the state. That singular act according to the deputy governor has shown that Wike is a “broadminded and detribalised politicians”.
Last Tuesday, Chief Wike played host to the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Prof Mohammed Al- Amin. The governor in an effort to boost mass housing and affordable houses directed the management of the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority and the state Ministry of Housing to liaise with the FHA to develop a framework for affordable housing.
The State Governor, Chief Wike attended last Wednesday’s Council of States meeting at Abuja. He came back on Thursday to resume state duties with an inspection of work at the Pleasure Park in Rumuola, Aba Road.
Chief Wike expressed satisfaction over the quality of work being undertaken by construction giants, Julius Berger at the site. The governor charged the Special Adviser on Special Projects to monitor on a daily basis the progress of work at the park.
Last Thursday, the state Deputy governor in a statement to mark this year’s International Literacy Day hailed the action of the state government to revive school boarding system in public schools. She said the policy is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of 2030.
The deputy governor had earlier in the week played host to the Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu. She used the visit to explain and list the various water projects executed by the Chief Wike led administration.
Last Friday, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austine Tam-George dispelled claims by Governor Oshiomole that Rivers State governor and his Delta State counterpart were sponsoring militant for Edo Guber elections.
On Saturday last week, Governor Wike embarked on project visits in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. He visited Nyemoni Grammar School, among others, in the state.

Politics

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

Published

1 day 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 day 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

4 days 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