News

PDP Alleges Plot To Arrest Saraki, Ekweremadu …Says Oshiomhole, APC Mobilising To Impeach Saraki …Wants Akpabio’s Seat Declared Vacant

Published

7 years ago

August 13, 2018

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said that it has uncovered plans by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to arrest Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
The PDP made this known in a statement on its Twitter handle, yesterday.
The party said, “We have again uncovered another plot by the failed and dysfunctional @APCNigeria and the cabal in the @MBuhari Presidency to use compromised security agencies and the @officialEFCC to invite, arrest and detain @SPNigeria @bukolasaraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.”
It further said that it has unravelled fresh facts confirming that the pressure by the Presidency for the reconvening of the @NGRSenate is out of a sinister motive and not for any emergency in the approval of the budget of the @inecnigeria for the 2019 election.
“We have again uncovered another plot by the failed and dysfunctional @APCNigeria and the cabal in the @MBuhari Presidency to use compromised security agencies and the @officialEFCC to invite, arrest and detain @SPNigeria @bukolasaraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu. pic.twitter.com/jfMTDCOX67. — Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) August 12, 2018.
“We have also unraveled fresh facts confirming that the pressure by the Presidency for the reconvening of the @NGRSenate is out of a sinister motive and not for any emergency in the approval of the budget of the @inecnigeria for the 2019 election. pic.twitter.com/RMRPtpxJSQ. — Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) August 12, 2018
The fresh plot to detain the two presiding officers is part of renewed design to keep them out of circulation, so as to enable the heavily induced @APCNigeria senators, who are now in the minority, to throw up two of their members as @NGRSenate and Deputy Senate President pic.twitter.com/n71aIQxwMy Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) August 12, 2018.
PDP was further informed that contrary to claims by the @APCNigeria &the Presidency, @inecnigeria actually submitted the budget to the presidency since February 2018, only for the Presidency to submit it to the @nassnigeria in July when the legislature was already going on recess pic.twitter.com/OvCouEzjl2. — Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) August 12, 2018
“Furthermore, we advise the Acting President @ProfOsinbajo to stop acting saint, as Nigerians are aware that he is part and parcel of the actors behind the sordid developments playing out in the @nassnigeria @NGRSenate pic.twitter.com/9KLZo2nV2G. — Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) August 12, 2018.
Meanwhile, ahead of resumption of the National Assembly, the splinter group of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Reformed-APC, yesterday, raised the alarm that the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole and the party have concluded arrangements to impeach the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
According to R-APC, Oshiomhole has mobilized and ordered all APC Senators to ensure that they participate in the plenary to effect the removal of Saraki by interpreting the 1999 Constitution would be used to cause commotion, then a vote of no confidence would be passed on the Senate President and there after remove him.
The R-APC however called on the Senate President to invoke the provisions of Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in declaring the seat of Senator Godswill Akpabio vacant against the backdrop that there is division in the opposition PDP, hence the declaration will be a step in the right direction.
In a statement, yesterday, in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary of R-APC, Prince Kassim Afegbua and entitled, “they are at it Again”, the group said that as the National Assembly plans to resume today, all Nigerians and lovers of democracy must be extra-vigilant before and during the plenary, adding that the latest plans by the APC may yet again leave unsavoury taste in our mouths.
The R-APC while calling on the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to as a matter of urgency, sack the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris following last Tuesday’s siege of the National Assembly by men of the Department of State Services (DSS), however, questioned why the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Habila was at the meeting of the APC at Aso Drive prior to the incident that took place at the National Assembly.
The R-APC has also condemned what it described as the use of cash-for-votes allegedly introduced by APC into the nation’s electoral process.
The statement by Afegbua read, “By this statement, the National Working Committee of the R-APC wishes to alert the public that the factional leadership of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has perfected plans to make the Tuesday, August 14th resumption date another kettle of fish for the illegal impeachment of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
This time, they are hell-bent on giving nebulous interpretation to the provision of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by using the numbers of Senators present to provoke an impeachment.
To this end, they have called on all APC Senators to make it a point of duty to participate at the plenary on Tuesday to pass a vote of “no confidence” on the Senate President.
This will be followed by orchestrated rancorous plenary session from where impeachment motion would be raised and their illegality perpetrated.
“There have been two meetings of the leaders and the Senators in the last 48 hours to perfect this approach. The security agencies have also been briefed according to information reaching us. The APC factional chairman has been boasting and insisting that the Senate President would be impeached by whatever means because he no longer deserves to wear the ‘crown’.
“It is possible that the leadership of the factional APC now sees the National Assembly as a Palace, where crowns and beads are the instruments of authority. Needless to remind them that the National Assembly is an arm of government represented by elected persons who are vested with the responsibility of making laws for the good governance of the country.
“It is neither a kingdom of princes and princesses, nor is it a sanctuary for traditional doctrinaire where crowns and beads are used to impose monarchical authority.
“We are also using this medium to condemn the blatant use of cash-for-votes which the APC has introduced into our electoral process. The just concluded by-elections in Katsina, Bauchi and Kogi states are testimonies to this fact.
“This is a sad commentary for a government that preaches anti-corruption as its cardinal philosophy of governance. The desperation to win at all cost and the killings associated with the elections are bad signals towards 2019 general elections.
“We are also calling on the Acting President to sack the current Inspector General of Police who has shown a manifest incompetence in the discharge of his responsibilities. For example, how can an interim report of the police on the Lawan Daura saga litter the pages of social media platforms when the investigation remains yet inconclusive? How can the Police exonerate itself from the act when it was reported that a Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Habila was seen in a meeting with Senators at the Aso Drive private office of the factional chairman of APC Comrade Adams Oshiomhole?
“We are also condemning the high-handedness against our members who have defected to the political parties of their choice. The deputy speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly has become a victim of executive lawlessness in the past couple of days. We also condemn the wanton killings in Kogi State during the just concluded by-election. Under this government, human lives have become cheap and of no value.
“The political tension in the country is avoidable if only the APC-led government and the party chieftains could refrain from making reckless militarised utterances to heat up the system instead of facing the huge task of providing leadership for the country. The level of extreme poverty and increasing rate of unemployment across the country are realities that should worry any serious-minded government that has the interest of the people at heart.
“We are calling on the Senate President to invoke the provisions of section 68 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in declaring the seat of Senator Godswill Akpabio vacant. It is not on record that there is division in the opposition PDP, hence this declaration will be a step in the right direction.
“As the National Assembly plans to resume on Tuesday, we are calling on all Nigerians and lovers of democracy to be extra-vigilant before and during the plenary. The latest plans by the APC may yet again leave unsavoury taste in our mouths.”

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor