Politics

CDCs Endorse Wike

Published

7 years ago

February 4, 2019

In continuation of his campaign for a non-violent, free and fair election, the Rivers State Governor. Chief Nyesom Wike, has charged Community Development Committees (CDCs) to ensure that election rigging is not allowed in their various communities.
The Governor gave the charge, Friday, at a meeting he had with CDC members in the 23 local government areas in the state.
” You have to stay on ground to ensure that nobody hijacks electoral materials in any part of the state”.
Coordinator of the United Community Development Committees, Mr John Chinedu Onwubuali announced the endorsement of the governor for a second term in office.
Onwubuali said that the group is happy with the extensive project delivery of Governor Wike, hence the decision to support his reelection.
Meanwhile, the PDP rally in the state has covered 16 out of the 23 local government areas in the state with only 7 local government areas remaining.
The campaign train covered six local government areas last week. The train will berth at Oyigbo today.
Last week alone, Governor Wike led the train to six local government areas. The LGAs include Bonny, Gokana, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Okrika, Akuku-Toru, and Port Harcourt.
The governor has attributed the present poor state of things in the educational sector in the country to President Muhammadu Buhari’s hatred of the sector.
Wike stated this during the campaign rally held in Abonnema headquarters of Akuku-Toru local government area on Friday.
He said: “Buhari government hates education. That’s why universities and polytechnics are closed and there is no serious engagement with the unions”.
He urged Nigerians to vote Atiku Abubakar who understands the relevance of education to national development.
He promised to complete the Abonnema Ring Road and other key project, stressing that his administration will execute more projects if voted in for another tenure.
At the PDP rally on Thursday, Wike promised to construct a bridge to link Okrika to Port Harcourt, the state capital. He equally promised to award electricity project to boost power supply in the area.
Governor Wike also inaugurated a 100,000 litre water project executed by his administration in the area.
The governor declared that the reliance on state violence by APC to win election in Rivers State will fail.
He said this at the PDP rally held in Port Harcourt Local Government Area on Saturday at Community Secondary School, Nkpolu Oroworukwu.
He said that his administration will create more urban centres in the state.
The former Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, commended the governor for his outstanding delivery of projects and assured that the people of Port Harcourt City will vote enmasse for him and other PDP candidates at the forthcoming elections to enable him continue with the good job he is doing.
“We need to let you know that Rivers State and Port Harcourt in particular remain for PDP. We shall vote PDP top to bottom”, said Opara.
Addressing thousands of people at ONLGA rally on Wednesday, Wike urged them to use their PVC to sack Buhari-led Federal Government for foistering economic hardship on Nigerians.
He stressed that Buhari does not deserve a second term because he lacks the capacity to lead as shown in his first term.
On Saturday, Wike inspected the ongoing Judge’s Quarters and the Fruit Garden Market both in Port Harcourt city.

Chris Oluoh

Politics

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

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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