Politics
86 Political Parties Back Wike …Sure Of Gov’s Victory
No fewer than 86 political parties, on Friday, conceded defeat to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, in the 2019 Gubernatorial Election held in last month.
The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Sir Precious Baridoo, who led leaders of the parties on a solidarity visit to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike in Government House, Port Harcourt, said from results at their disposal from their polling agents, Wike won the Governorship election.
They congratulated Wike and indicated their interest to participate in his victory party.
IPAC condemned the letter by some APC elders to President Muhammadu Buhari to interfere in the Governorship
Election of Rivers State, describing it as mischief.
They demanded from the APC elders to publicly apologise to Rivers people for their ungodly political mischief and also warned security agencies against further steps to subvert the will of Rivers people.
Responding, Governor Wike declared that when PDP is declared winner of the March 9 gubernatorial election, he will operate a unity government.
” If we are declared winner of the election, we will operate a government of unity. We will rally everybody together in the interest of the state “, he said and urged people of the state to remain patient and allow INEC to carry out their responsibilities of collating and declaring the election results.
Governor Wike paid a condolence visit to the family of the late oil mogul, High Chief O. B Lulu Briggs in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
He eulogised the deceased, describing him as a philanthropist who used his personal wealth to bless less privileged in the society, and one who made quality contributions to the development of the state.
He said in 2014/2015 when he consulted late Lulu Briggs in his quest to govern the state, the late Chief supported his development blueprint.
He urged the family members to work hard to maintain the legacy of the late elder statesman , promising that the state government would participate actively in his burial.
Daughter of late Lulu Briggs, Mrs Solate Ovunda Akarolo thanked the governor for the honour .
Wike on same Saturday inspected some ongoing projects in both Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas.
The projects inspected were the Mile 1 Market, the Port Harcourt Fruit Garden Market and the Judges Quarters.
Wike, who spoke to journalists after the inspection said he would increase the tempo of projects delivery during his second term.
Personalities who accompanied the Governor during the inspection included a Former Deputy Governor in the state, Engr Tele Ikuru, former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt Hon Austin Okpara, Former Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo , Former Minister of Transportation, Dr Abiye Sekibo , Senator Lee ,Maeba, Senator Olaka Nwogu, Prince Emmanuel Anyanwu, PDP Chairman in the state, Bro Felix Obuah amongst others.
Another major event in Brick House, last week was the visit of the Nigerian Army Investigative Committee On Election Violence to Governor Wike on Friday.
Wike made visual and pictorial presentations of military interference during the election.
He explained that election took place in polling units across the state except in Abua/Odual local Government Area.
He emphased that challenge came during the collation as Army invaded collation centres and carted away Form EC 8C for Governorship election and Form EC 8b1 for the House of Assembly elections.
He declared that the negative roles played by the Nigerian Army during the 2019 election is the worst in the history of the country.
He formally requested for the deployment of GOC 6 Division, Major General Jamil Sarhem for subverting the general election in Rivers State.
The investigative committee was led by its chairman, Major General Ayibakuro Gagariga.
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.