Politics
Rivers State Has Focused Leadership – Akawor
The Rivers State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP), Ambassador Desmond Akawor, says the State now has focused leadership under Chief Nyesom Wike
Akawor made the remark when he played host to over five pro- PDP groups that visited him at the party secretariat, Monday, to congratulate him on the successful election and inauguration of the state executive of the PDP.
The groups were Wike Solidarity Movement, WSM, led by the Director General, Prince Sudor Nwiyor, PDP Ex- Councillors Forum, led by its National Coordinator, Prince Welly weli Wosu and Port Harcourt Significant Girls Initiative, led by the Convener, Miss Nengi Ibifuro Jumbo. Others were Governor’s Liaison Officers in the 319 wards, led by Aaron Jaja Godwin, Group of PDP Returnees from Khana and Eleme, coordinated by former Health Commissioner, Dr Sampson Parker and executive members of the National Union of Rivers State Student, NURSS, led by the Vice President, Elvis Gogo.
Receiving members of WSM, State Chairman of PDP, Ambassador Desmond Akawor said Governor Nyesom Wike had made Rivers people proud by fulfilling the promises made during the electioneering campaigns.
Ambassador Akawor noted that the slogan of the group, “Promise Made, Promise Kept”, was in tandem with the Governor’s philosophy and commended Wike Solidarity Movement for supporting the governor.
“It is a very good story today for us to rejoice because in those days we didn’t know where we were heading to, but people like you decided to come up with a name that “Promises Made Promise kept”. I don’t know what you had in mind then but I strongly believe that the promises have been fulfilled” Ambassador Akawor said.
On projects delivery, Ambassador Desmond Akawor said he is yet to know of any state in the country that is constructing six flyover bridges under two years, urging members of the PDP in the state not to make unnecessary mistake ahead of the 2023 election but assist the governor to achieve a hitch-free transition.
Earlier the Director General of Wike Solidarity Movement, WSM, Prince Sudor Nwiyor said they were at the party secretariat to congratulate Ambassador Akawor- led PDP State Executive and thanked Governor Wike for considering members of the group in the scheme of things.
Prince Sudor Nwiyor who praised the PDP Chairman for his exemplary leadership qualities, said this had resulted in the return of high profile politicians from the APC to the PDP.
“Our Chairman, Ambassador Desmond Akawor is always known for victory. His election as the state
PDP chairman did not come to us as a surprise because he has worked and shown capacity and it
was time for him to come and carry the party at the state level”.
“Your Excellency, we have come to say that we are happy with the level of work you have done for
the PDP in Rivers State. In few months you have stayed as the party chairman we have witnessed so
many defections and not just defections but people of great high calibre from APC to PDP, and from
the way you are going, we are very sure that in the next few months, the Minister of Transport will
even come to our great party” Prince Nwiyor asserted.
Meanwhile the state PDP Chairman Ambassador Desmond Akawor has told members of PDP Ex
Councillor forum that as the closest to the people at grassroots they were expected to mobilise the
people during the forth coming Local Government election in the state.
Ambassador Akawor also told them to support the party towards ensuring that PDP wins the 23
Local Government Chairmanship seats as well as the 319 wards in the state.
He also told them to support the governor to ensure a smooth transition in 2023 by refusing to align
with anyone with governorship ambition.
The PDP Chairman equally advised members of the Port Harcourt Significant Girls Initiative not to be
distracted by those who use social media space to blackmail them in order to dissuade them from
achieving their goals in life, saying that the PDP is interested in seeing young girls who are ready to
participate actively in politics assuring that the party would support them to achieve their aim.
He equally advised members of the National Union of Rivers State Students, NURSS to always
embrace dialogue in resolving grievances rather than confrontation.
Ambassador Akawor who promised to relay the demands for the payment of bursary made by the
students to the State Chief Executive, warned them against involvement in unwholesome activities.
Addressing a delegation of APC decampees led by Mich Nwidoobie, Ambassador Akawor assured
them of equal opportunities in the party.
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.
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