Politics

Eno’s Defection: Collaborate With PDP Defectors, Akpabio Urges APC Members

Published

10 months ago

June 20, 2025

Ahead of the scheduled mega reception ceremony for Governor Umo Eno into the All Progrssives Congress (APC), Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on stakeholders and members of the party in Akwa Ibom State to collaborate with other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that are willing to join the ruling party.

Addressing APC stakeholders from the 31 local government areas of the state in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, on Wednesday, Sen. Akpabio assured that the proposed political alignment would attract significant federal interventions to Akwa Ibom State, aimed at improving the welfare of the people and accelerating development of the state.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Senate President, Jackson Udom said, “Let me assure us all that the current political alignment will attract significant federal interventions to Akwa Ibom, aimed at improving the welfare and development of our people.

“Governor Umo after serious consultation with all stakeholders declared that there was need for us in the State to support our son, and also support the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for finding an Akwa Ibom son of worth to be the Number three citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“But now it is time for the whole State to follow him because he has done wide consultation from traditional rulers to the political class across all political parties.

“And I must inform you that it is not only the Governor and the PDP that will join us, all other political parties are going to join us. So, for the first time in the history of Akwa Ibom State, we are most likely going to have a rancour free election”.

“There is no need for internal squabbles and wrangling. APC is big enough to accommodate everyone and that is what the new alignment comes with.

“Being linked to the centre comes with a lot of federal presence in terms of projects and human capital development. What we want from party members, both old and new, is to be united and remain peaceful in the overall interest of our dear state’’, the statement added.

Also speaking, the State APC Chairman, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, thanked the Senate President for his unwavering support to the party and his commitment to the vision for a united Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, former Petroleum Minister, Atuekong Don Etiebet, said it was evident that God has worked through Senator Akpabio to unite the people of Akwa Ibom State under one political platform, the APC.

Atuekong Etiebet said the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District were in full support of the grand reception for Governor Eno and other defecting members of the PDP.

On his part, Elder Statesman and former State Chairman of the PDP, Arc Otu Ita Toyo, said the unification of political parties in the State was of great importance to the people of Eket Senatorial District, hence the need for them to support the call by Sen. Akpabio for total harmonization of political parties in the State.

The APC leader of Uyo Senatorial District and former Military Administrator of Ogun and Rivers States, Group Captain Sam Ewang (rtd), said being in the opposition in the State had caused members of the APC severe hardship in the past.

Group Capt. Ewang said, with the defection of the governor and other key stakeholders, he anticipated a brighter future for members of the party in the State.

APC stakeholders in the three senatorial districts pledged their willingness to work together with former PDP members to achieve lasting political harmony in the state.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC governors, National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ganduje and other chieftains are expected to formally receive the Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, into the APC on Saturday, June 21, 2025.

The occasion, which is scheduled to hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, at 12 noon, comes up two weeks after Governor Eno announced his defection from PDP to APC.

Politics

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

Published

13 hours 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

15 hours 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

3 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