Politics

Wike Tasks New CP On Professionalism

Published

9 years ago

March 20, 2017

The thanksgiving service in honour of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain, Chief Maxwell Amadi took the lead among activities in Government House last week.
Speaking at the thanksgiving service, the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike announced plans by government to construct internal roads at Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area. He lauded the people of Isiokpo for supporting his administration, pointing out that he will change the negative perception created by a former governor, who hails from the area.
Last Monday, an administrative panel of inquiry to review classification of traditional chieftaincy stools was inaugurated by Chief Wike. The governor said the panel was in line with powers conferred on him by the 1999 constitution.
The panel is to review the classification of traditional chieftaincy stools, way and manner they were made and make recommendations for a new one. The panel has full powers and authority to hold public hearings.
On the same last Monday, the governor received the report of Commission of Inquiry that investigated the killings and other acts of violence during the December 10, 2016 rerun elections. Chief Wike emphasised that he was aware that the current Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris would not act on the report.
When the State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) visited last Tuesday, the governor regretted that the Police leadership in the country was truncating the nation’s democracy.
According to Chief Wike, “Nigeria cannot conduct free and fair elections, if police do not change their attitude. With the present Inspector General of Police, we cannot have free and fair elections”.
Shortly after receiving the NYSC Coordinator, the governor embarked on project monitoring. He visited the ongoing Phase II of the Nkpogu Bridge, the Pleasure Park and later, the Ecumenical Centre.
In an interview he granted newsmen during the project tour he said, “By the time I conclude my sojourn in office, I would have left a legacy of quality projects across the state”.
Commenting on the state of the Ecumenical Centre, he urged the Christian Association of Nigeria to map out a plan to raise funds for the maintenance of the facility after its completion.
Last Wednesday, the governor inspected ongoing remodelling of sports facilities of the Diete Spiff Civic Centre. Chief Wike said the project was motivated out of the desire to use sports to develop and engage the youths. He said, “Sports is a major component of the GDP of many countries. Here in Rivers State, we are developing sports facilities to ensure that many youths embrace sports”.
While the governor was busy here in the state, his wife Justice Suzette Nyesom-Wike was in New York, United States to attend the United Nations 61st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. She used the forum to canvass for proactive measures to empower women. Justice Wike also advocated for gender equality and elimination of all practices that make women second class citizens.
Last Friday witnessed the destruction of arms and ammunition recovered during the 60-day amnesty and disarmament granted to cultists and militants in the state by the Wike-led administration. The governor flagged-off the exercise held at Army Shooting Range, Iguwruta, announcing a fresh amnesty scheme for the Ogoni area currently being ravaged by violent groups. He restated the resolve of government to restore peace in Ogoni land.
On the same last Friday, the governor hosted the new State Police Commissioner, Mr Ahmed Zaki, and urged him to be apolitical and professional. He later swore-in new Caretaker Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Hon Anselin Oguguo. The governor charged the new CTC Chairman to bridge divisions in the area and carry all parties along in governance.
Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan was in Government House last Saturday. He held a closed door meeting with Governor Wike. Later on, Chief Wike visited project sites at Pleasure Park and Ecumenical Centre.

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