Politics

Port Harcourt Ring Road Remains Our Signature Project – Fubara

Published

2 years ago

March 25, 2024

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that the ongoing Port Harcourt Ring Road project being handled by Julius Berger Plc remains the signature project of his administration.
Governor Fubara, who disclosed this while speaking to news men shortly after inspecting the project on Wednesday, explained that the contract for the Port Harcourt Ring Road was one of the first contracts and agreements he signed on assumption of office as governor.
He expressed satisfaction over the level of work done and assured that the necessary support will be provided to enable the company deliver the project on schedule.
The inspection was conducted through the Elikpokwuodu Community, Rumuosi, Ozuoba, UTC Junction axis of the Ring Road project, cutting across three local government areas of the state – Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City.
“Considering the understanding we have with Julius Berger, we find out that this project will be done and delivered on schedule, and with what we are seeing, they’re meeting up that target.
“I think we had a little problem with pricing at that time, but what ever it is, I’ve assured them I will give them all the necessary support to make sure they deliver .
“This project is very important to us, it’s one of the first things I signed when I became the governor of this state. it’s a signature project to me which ever way any body want to look at it, we signed for and we’re paying dearly for it”, he said.
In his remark the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria, Plc, Dr Lars Richter, who accompanied the Governor on the inspection, said the company was working hard to deliver the project on schedule, despite some few challenges associated with payments of compensation and relocation.
Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday hosted leaders of the Christian Council of Nigeria on a delegation to Government House, Port Harcourt.
The meeting, which held behind closed door, focused on the policy thrusts of his administration in revamping the agriculture, health and education sectors of the Rivers economy.
The leader of the delegation and National President of Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Most Reverend David Onuoha, who spoke with newsmen after the meeting, said they were excited with the Governor for making peace central in his administration.
“We are so excited, first at his peaceful disposition. For him, peace is central in everything. He is quoted as saying that no sacrifice is too much for the peace of Rivers State. I think that is very commendable.
“We gave him an award as a ‘Pillar of Ecumenism’ because of his peaceful disposition and cordial relationship with churches in this State, irrespective of denominations. So, we felt we should encourage him to do more.
“And again, he has intimated us with his plans of placing emphasis on agriculture, health, and education. These are very laudable.
“We can only pray that God will give him the grace to actualise and implement all these,” he added.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, also on Thursday attended the send forth reception in honour of Justice Mary Odili as she bowed out as the 51st Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BoB) after one year (April 2023-March 2024) of meritorious service to the body.
The event, which held at the Halimatu Abdullahi Turaki Hall of the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja, witnessed her Vice, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, taking over the mantle as the new Chairman of BoB.
Speaking at the event, the Rivers State Governor commended Justice Odili for her invaluable contributions to the enrichment of the body of jurisprudence and the legal profession throughout her years of meritorious service to the State and country.
Governor Fubara also expressed satisfaction with her record of exemplary performance and sacrifices within her one year as Chairman of the Body of Benchers in Nigeria.
He said, “The Government and people of Rivers State are proud of your contributions to the advancement of jurisprudence, and indeed, the legal profession in Nigeria.
“I have no doubt that your one year tenure as Chairman of the Body of Benchers has ushered in reforms to ensure discipline, due process and respect for rule of law among lawyers.
“As a Government, we thank you for your immeasurable service both to our dear State and the nation”.
In her remarks, Justice Mary Odili expressed deep appreciation to the Body of Benchers for the honour done her, and promised to always support them in whatever way possible to enable the Bench succeed.

By: Taneh Beemene

Politics

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

Published

2 weeks 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 weeks 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