Politics

HUNDREDS OF LATE BAYELSA DEP GOV’S KINSMEN DUMP PDP FOR APC

Published

4 weeks ago

March 16, 2026

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) numbering more than 500 from Ofoni Federated Communities, hometown of the late former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, have dumped their party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on behalf of the defectors in Yenagoa, Dr. Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, elder brother of the late former Deputy Governor, said as a community, they had supported the Prosperity Administration from inception and could not afford to oppose a government they consider their own.

He said the decision was a collective one taken by the people of the community out of their own volition, assuring that those yet to decamp will join them in the APC in no distant time.

Dr. Ewhrudjakpo assured Governor Douye Diri and his Deputy of the total support of the people of the community.

The Tide reports that Ofoni Community is in the Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

The late deputy governor’s sibling stressed that the bond between the community and the Prosperity Government will not be broken.

In an address of welcome, the Vice Chairman of APC in Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Mr Akwakwa B. Akwakwa, said the event was significant as they were all coming under one umbrella to align with the vision of Governor Diri, who is the leader of the party in the state.

Also speaking, a former Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Chief Kemi Prefa, said the APC was large enough to accommodate as many people that were willing to join the party and assured the new entrants of equal treatment.

Stakeholders of Sagbama Wards 3 and 4, including Dr Isikuru Joseph, Mr Friday Nigeria, Mr Morris Dovieme, President-General of Ofoni Federated Communities, Mr Godspower Ikerewu and the leader of Ofoni Women in Politics, Mrs Ann Siakpere, lauded the leadership qualities of Governor Diri and his new deputy, Dr Peter Akpe.

They emphasized that the community had decided to join the APC winning train in their own collective interest.

Expressing gratitude to the state government for development projects in their community, the defectors assured the governor and his deputy of their continued support and resolve to work for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Responding, the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Peter Akpe, expressed delight over the defectors’ voluntary decision to join the APC, saying it was not the style of Governor Diri to coerce people into decision making.

He acknowledged the organic support the prosperity administration had always received from the people of Ofoni Community and urged the new entrants to feel free in their new party.

Dr Akpe noted that their formal defection would strengthen the already existing relationship between the state government and the community, adding that the development would encourage those who were still sitting on the fence to join the APC in no distant time.

He said: “It is a day of joy because we are bringing our hearts out organically without any kind of pressure. Nobody was cajoled or pressured to be here. Everyone made their judgement, took their decision and we are here. That is the methodology and pattern of Governor Diri; he never pressures anybody.

“With utmost joy I want to join our party leaders to welcome you. The boat of APC in Sagbama was incomplete without this cream of leaders from Ofoni. We have been a team working together, nothing should separate us.

“Thank you so much. I appreciate you all on behalf of the governor. This togetherness will take us to greater heights. Feel extremely free and confident that you are in this party for good. To all those still far or still sitting on the fence, join the winning team.”

Highpoint of the event was the reception of the PDP defectors by the APC Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area, Mr Arioke Ohwona.

By: By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

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