Politics
Opobo/Nkoro Stakeholders Endorse Wike For Second Term
Stakeholders in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have thrown their weight behind Governor Nyesom Wike for a second tenure in office come 2019.
They also cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) to guard against inflammatory comments capable of overheating the polity in the state ahead of next year’s general elections.
Speaking with The Tide last Wednesday at Nkoro Town shortly after the flag-off of water projects in the area by the governor, some stakeholders hailed Governor Wike’s administration, describing his leadership as, “remarkable”.
Lending credence to this, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the area, Hon. Daniel Legg-Jack lauded Wike’s development strides in all the nooks and crannies of the state, stressing that he has performed above all imaginations.
Legg-Jack, however, appealed to the electorate in the area to give the governor yet another support in 2019 polls to enable him consolidate on his lofty people-oriented development projects for their well-being, affirming the position of the oil-rich state in the comity of states in Nigeria as very commendable.
On the ongoing Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration, the PDP boss also called on all eligible voters in the area to take advantage of the current voters registration exercise and ensure that they obtained their PVCs to enable them vote during the forth-coming local government election and subsequent ones.
He, therefore, enjoined them to guard their PVCs jealously and vote for Governor Wike and other PDP candidates.
Also speaking on the performance of the governor, former Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Prof. Adolphus Toby thanked Governor Wike for the numerous developmental projects in the state, including the just flagged-off water project, explaining that all these have shown that the governor meant well for the people and not bogus propaganda on the pages of newspapers.
Toby, however, drummed support for the governor for a second tenure to enable him complete on-going capital-intensive projects across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Bethel Toby
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.
