Politics

Black Soot: Wike Identifies Cause

Published

8 years ago

March 12, 2018

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has faulted the approach of security agencies in destroying illegal refineries, noting that the method they apply results in escalating the black soot rain, constituting health hazards and destroying the environment.
The governor stated this Friday during a special appearance on Channels Television Live interview programme at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Wike said report by the technical committee set up by the state government to investigate the black soot problem indicated that the development was largely a product of the unwholesome destruction of illegal refineries by security agencies.
The governor who regretted that it is not within the purview of state government to control the security agencies, revealed that state authorities had formally approached the Federal Government to help resolve the challenges, without any assistance from that quarter.
Wike said: “We have prioritised this issue, but we cannot stop the security agencies. There must be a refined way of stopping the oil criminals, without damaging the environment.
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose has likened Wike to the Biblical Daniel.
Governor Fayose stated this while commissioning some key road projects executed by Wike in Trans-Amadi, an economic zone in the state.
The Ekiti State Governor said: “Commissioning has become an attitude for Governor Wike. Everyday, there is a road project. I commend him for transforming the state”.
The projects that were commissioned were the reconstructed High Street, rehabilitated Prof Okujagu Street and Danjuma Drive off Peter Odili Road.
Wike said he would remain focused in transforming the state because of the passion he has for the state.
The Rivers State Governor who also flagged off the Isiodu Road in Emohua Local Government Area last Saturday announced that he would sign the state Neighbourhood Watch Bill into Law this week.
He said the bill was aimed at boosting security by providing intelligence and needed information to security agencies in Rivers State.
Wike said that, when it becomes operational, the Neighbourhood Watch Initiative will also create employment opportunities for youths in the state.
Another event that dominated activities last week in Government House was the 2018 International Women’s Day celebration.
The event which took off last Sunday with Special Church Service came to a climax on 8th March as thousands of Rivers women from all parts of the state converged at Alfred Diete-Spiff (Civic Centre) Complex.
While delivering the keynote address, wife of Rivers State Governor, Hon Justice Suzzette Nyesom-Wike called for economic empowerment of women at all levels.
She also called on parents to give equal opportunities to male and female children to enable the girl child strive to her highest possible level of development.
In his speech, Governor Wike promised to fulfill all promises made by his administration to Rivers women.
Wike who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani, commended Rivers women for their strong support to his government and urged them to sustain the tempo.
Another event was the flag-off of the Egbelu Road in Rumuodara, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area last Thursday.
At the event, the Governor stated that though he was not aware of the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Rivers State as Federal Government was yet to inform him, Buharis visit he said, cannot revive APC in the state.
“Maybe the President is coming to make sure that he will improve the fortunes of the APC that is dead in Rivers State.
“Apart from Jesus Christ, we don’t know of anyone who had risen a dead thing. APC is a dead party in Rivers State. No matter how you fast and pray, it will never wake up”, the Governor said.

Chris Oluoh

Politics

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

Published

7 hours 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

9 hours 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

3 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