Politics

Labour Is Dead, Says Gov Wike

Published

5 years ago

March 15, 2021

It was another week-long project galore as the Rivers State Governor and Nigeria’s “Mr Projects”, rolled out more key projects executed under his administration. Among the projects inaugurated last week were; Rumuji-Ibaa-Obelle-Isiokpo Road , Hostels and Classrooms Complex of the Real Madrid Academy, the 6.1km Omuihuechi-Omuoko-Omokiri Road in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area and the ultra-moderm state Secretariat building of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Speaking during the inauguration of the 16.1km Rumuji-Ibaa-Obelle-Isiokpo Road which spans across Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas, Governor Wike said his development programme was basically implemented to create a conducive environment that offered more opportunities to Rivers people to actualise their potentials.

The Governor who remarked that the road had been a victim of failed campaign promises, explained that politicians had severaly promised the people that they would rehabilitate the road if they supported them , only for them to turn their eyes the other way when elections were over. He said it was time to hold politicians accountable to their words.

Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido who did the official commissioning of the project expressed delight that the development projects were not only executed in Port Harcourt, the state capital, but also in the hinterlands. He stated that leaders like Governor Wike had continued to demonstrate that it was only PDP that was committed to the well-being of the people.

The Minister for Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Akin Dare, inaugurated the classrooms and hostels of Real Madrid Academy last Tuesday. He expressed delight at the facilities and declared that Governor Wike had laid a standard for football development.

Also last week, Governor Wike dressed down labour movement in the country for what he described as their indifference to some anti-people policies, such as incessant increment in pump price of petroleum products, electricity tarriff and insecurity in the country under the APC- led Federal Government.

According to him, the labour movement in the country is dead having lost its force of engagement with government. Governor Wike said labour leadership had left substance to pursue shadows , so could hardly speak in a manner that could change or achieve reversal of the many anti-poeple policies.

He said under former President Goodluck Jonathan, the leadership of labour mobilised Nigerian workers against some of his policies because he is from a minority ethnic group, but had lost its voice under a president from the majority tribe.

Speaking during the inauguration of the new TUC Secretariat built by his administration in the state, Governor Wike said his administration provided the Secretariat to strengthen the independence of Labour to enable it perform its duties effectively.

The Secretariat which was officially inaugurated by the National President of TUC, Quadric Olaleye, is a three-storey building with 16 offices, 500 capacity auditorium, a conference room, 14 toilets across floors and 100 KVA generator among other modern facilities.

Another major event which took place in Government House Port Harcourt within the week under review, was the meeting of South-South Governors last Monday.

Chairman of the South-South Forum and Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who addressed the press after the meeting said the Governors demanded that 10 per cent Host Community Trust Fund to be included in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) being considered at the National Assembly.

Okowa said: “ We took up the issue of the PIB, the Petroleum Industry Bill which is already before the House, and having compared notes with ourselves, we are of the view that while we welcome the Host Community Trust Fund, we do believe that the 2.5 per cent that is appropriated in that bill for the purpose of host community fund is inadequate”.

The Governors noted that if oil host Communities feel satisfied with the provisions of the funds for them in the bill, they would more likely be watchdog of the nation’s oil facilities in their domains on behalf of the oil companies, the state and Federal Government adding that this situation guarantee greater production.

The South-South Governors Forum also expressed dissatisfaction over the running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) particularly the style of Interim Management Committee or Interim Administrator being adopted by the Federal Government.

According to the forum, the situation does not give equal opportunity to all states of the region to be fairly represented in the board of the Commission.

The forum therefore demanded that whenever the board of the NDDC is constituted, the advisory council must be called upon to play it’s role to ensure there is checks and balances.

Also last week the Rivers State Chief Executive addressed the PDP South South Zonal Congress held last Tuesday in Port Harcourt. He noted that the zone is the strength of the party and charged members to always conduct themselves as members of a party that is committed to take over power in 2023.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Gov Nyesom Wike and other dignitaries attended the funeral service of the late oil Magnet, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, last Saturday at Abonnema in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.

By: Chris Oluoh

Politics

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

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

5 days 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