Politics

APC Can’t Distract Me -Wike

Published

9 years ago

January 16, 2017

The Interdenominational Church Service for the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and the signing of the 2017 Appropriation Bill into law were among events that topped activities in Government House last week.
Governor Nysom Wike and other top State functionaries started last week with an interdenominational church service to herald the week, long programmed to commmorate ex-servicemen and women who had contributed to the uUnity and security of the country. The church service was held at First Baptist Church, Aggrey Road in Port Harcourt.
Last Monday, the governor unveiled the Eneka/Elimgbu link road which had been abandoned over the years, he lambasted the immediate past administration for failing to meet the yearning of the people, saying for eight years APC failed the people.
Due to the failure of the past administration to touch on the lives of the people, the governor observed that the opposition was poised to distract him but insisted that they will fail as his administration is determined to better the lives of citizens.
He used the occasion, to warn the opposition to stop formenting crisis in the State and should rather join hands to make the state better.
Last Tuesday, another road was unveiled at Rumuoparali, linking Choba and Ozuoba. The four kilometre road, according to the Commissioner for Works Arch. Bathuel Harrison, had been abandoned over the years, leading to economic hardship on both residents and business people.
On his part, Chief Wike said that linking Akpor Kingdom with roads is a way to reciprocate the support given to him by the people and at the same time ameliorate their sufferings over the years.
Last Wednesday, the governor took time off to visit project sites in the city. At Ogbunabali Community, he was greeted by excited residents who hailed him for rehabilitating the internal roads within the area.
Speaking to newsmen after inspection of Nkpogu Bridge, the Pleasure Park and Ogbunabali internal roads, Chief Wike said this year will be marked with road projects all over the state. He emphasized that no area will be left out as the state government marks the golden jubilee of the creation of Rivers State.
The governor, last Thursday was represented by his deputy , Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo at the Yearly Thanksgiving and Dedication of the State Civil Service. She promised that the administration of Chief Wike is poised to improve the working conditions of all public servants, most especially the hiccups that emanates from State Pension Scheme.
Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Oris Onyiri used the forum to call on all civil servants to be more dedicated to work as the government is ready to provide the enabling environment for their efficiency.
Last Friday, Chief Wike signed the 2017 Appropriation Bill into law. The State budget which was presented last year was deliberated upon and endorsed by the law makers. The budget tagged “Golden Jubilee Budget” has 70 per cent dedicated to capital projects and infrastructure development.
After appending his signature to the bill, Chief Wike pledged that the budget will be implemented to the letter, while assuring all the arms of government of due and timely allocation. The Speaker thanked the governor for his vision and hardwork.
Two days before the closing ceremony of the Port Harcourt International Polo club competition, former Federal Ministers led by Alhaji Sule Lamido paid a solidarity visit to Governor Wike urging him not to be intimidated by antics of the federal government. The goivernor commended organisers of the Port Harcourt Polo Club for organising a successful event on Saturday.

Politics

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

Published

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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