Politics
Council Boss Lauds APC Defectors
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Asari Toru Local Government Council (ASALGA), Hon Wright Promise Warmate has lauded defectors from the All Progressive Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)in ASALGA and Degema local Government Area (DELGA).
Expressing appreciation, Warmate said: the mass defections to the PDP are attracted by the unprecedented performance of Governor Wike who has performed”.
He described the leadership acumen of Wike and the State Chairman of the PDP, Bro Felix Obuah, as transformative and accommodating to all well meaning entrants, declaring that the enabling environment created for new comers will be sustained in Asari-Toru and all over the state for consolidation and assured victory for the party at all levels in future elections.
Speaking at the PDP Secretariat in Port Harcourt where the decampees were received on Thursday, the leader of the APC decampees and former leader of the Asari-Toru Legislative Assembly, Hon. Orolosoma Amachree accused Amaechi of coercing all ‘elected’ Chairmen and Councilors of the APC into instituting legal action against the Wike government as a gimmick to make the state ungovernable.
Amachree whose scores of supporters turned the occasion into gyration amid singing and dancing, condemned the violent activities of former Chairman of ASALGA, Ojukaye Flag Amachree, noting that he had plunged the area into crisis which caused his followers to flee to Abuja where they hoped to get succour from Rotimi Amaechi.
“But when we met Amaechi, our leader in Abuja and told him of our predicament and requested his assistance to get accommodation, he bluntly told us: “If you don’t have accommodation why did you have to come to me. Am I the landlord of Abuja?”
He stated that these actions among others underscored their resolution to dump the APC which deceitfully promised to bring what he called a ‘fraudulent change’ to Nigerians.
“I was not convinced by anyone to decamp. No one gave me money and no one lobbied for me and my brothers and sisters to leave the APC. PDP was my root and because I was deceived to join the APC, I have retraced my steps and I am back home” , he said.
The Tide learnt that among those who joined Amachree to the PDP are the APC Assistant Women Leader in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Vice Chairman of APC, Hon. Briggs, Ward Exco members, and the DELGA Vice Chairman of APC in Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Samuel Ikiroma who stormed the PDP Secretariat with hundreds of supporters.
The soft-talking APC leader who handed his councillorship certificate of return to state PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah for destruction, said he was now enjoying genuine peace since he took the decision to dump the APC.
While receiving the decampees, Rivers PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah commended Governor Nyesom Wike for creating the enabling environment which had triggered the gale of defection of APC members into the PDP.
“If Governor Wike had not judiciously used the resources of the State to the benefit of all, there would not have been this strong conviction to join a progressive movement like the PDP.
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.
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