Politics
‘It’s Childish’, Ugochinyere Blasts Akpabio Over Attack On Fubara At Wigwes’ Funeral
A member of the House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has lambasted the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for allegedly turning the burial of the late Access Holdings Plc GCEO, Herbert Wigwe, wife and first son, to a venue for political attack on Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Hon. Ugochinyere’s reaction comes on the heels of Senator Akpabio’s obvious reaction to Governor Fubara’s remarks at the Wigwes’ funeral in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Saturday.
Governor Fubara had while delivering his tribute at the burial ceremony said, “What’s all this struggle about? You want to kill, bury, what’s it all about?”
Speaking later and apparently responding to Governor Fubara, the Senate President said: “What’s the struggle about? I will answer you. In 2006, I wanted to be Deputy Governor. The then Deputy Governor invited me and said this office has no money. There’s nothing in it. I don’t know why you still insist on removing me from here and taking over.
“So a woman who went with me said ‘Your Excellency, then don’t wait for impeachment, just resign if there’s nothing in it’. And I said ‘it’s true, that’s why I want it. You’re too big for it’. So, Mr Fubara, if there’s nothing in the struggle, don’t struggle.”
But Hon. Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, in a statement on Saturday, described Senator Akpabio’s utterance as ‘childish and unnecessary’.
He wondered why the Senate President would decide to turn a sad moment when a family and friends were mourning such tragic losses to political jamboree.
He stated that Governor Fubara had never had issues with Akpabio, recalling that although a PDP governor, Sir Fubara urged federal lawmakers-elect from his state to vote for Akpabio as Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.
Hon. Ugochinyere further recalled that Gov. Fubara supporting Sen. Akpabio was to advance “national interest.”
The lawmaker said this was not the first time Sen. Akpabio was meddling in opposition politics, adding that the opposition won’t continue to tolerate it.
He said, “The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, should stop meddling in opposition politics. Last month Akpabio at a function in the Tai Local Government Area of the state asked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike, to look for someone from Ogoni extraction to succeed state governor, Siminalayi Fubara in 2027.
“Today, he’s responding to a remark by the Governor that has nothing to do with him. The opposition is urging the Senate president to be mindful of his utterances. How can he turn the burial of late Access Bank CEO, Herbert Wigwe, wife and first son, such a sad moment to a political attack?. It’s disappointing. That’s political recklessness taken too far. We, the opposition parties won’t tolerate such utterances anymore if it continues.”
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.