Politics
Kalango Hails Wike’s Dev Strides
Rivers State Governor, Bar. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has been commended over the judicious management of scarce resources for the development of the state which has brought him accolades from even the opposition.
The Rivers State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Pastor O.D. Kalango made the assertion in an interview with The Tide in his office yesterday.
Pastor Kalango said that the level of infrastructural decay, roads, schools, hospitals which Wike inherited from the past administration could overwhelm anybody but not the steel-hearted like Governor Wike.
According to him the Governor who refused to be daunted with pressing needs in the state went ahead to confront road construction, rehabilitation of hospitals and re-introduction of boarding facilities to boost education in the state, even with the lean resources that greeted his administration.
Kalango described Wike as a man ready for governance as a full-blood Rivers son, saying that what he has achieved in one year is more people-oriented if compared to what past administration struggled to achieve for more years without appreciable impact on the lives and well-being of the entire residents of the state.
Kalango noted that there are no pot holes anywhere on the roads of the state-capital, Port Harcourt and praised the governor’s vision for re-introducing traffic lights on the highways for effective control of vehicular movement.
Pastor kalango while calling for total support for Wike administration noted that his union, NURTW is partnering the government to boost the state revenue base through collaborative effort with the Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue.
He said that the NURTW has held fruitful deliberation with the commissioners for Transport, Environment and Urban and Physical Development to map out the way forward, particularly on how to decongest the major highways in Port Harcourt metropolis for free flow of vehicular traffic.
The state NURTW boss who was quick to observe that not all commercial drivers were members of his union said that with the joint efforts of his union, the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC and the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, road users are already attesting to the fact that there is free flow of traffic in the Port Harcourt metropolis.
Speaking further on Governor Wike’s strides in the education sector, Kalango cited the upgrading of the Rivers State College of Arts and Science to full-blown Polytechnic as a step in the right direction.
He said the move would engender employment and increase the opportunities open to residents of the state to access quality education.
Kalango further described Wike as a full-blooded Rivers son who has the desire and determination to improve the lot of the people of the state through verifiable developmental strides.
Citing the recent offer of amnesty to some misguided youth who are willing to eschew militancy and brigandage, Kalango described the move as a panacea to the reign of disturbances in the state and enjoined the youths to embrace it.
He however, noted that the scope of the state governments is limited in terms of ensuring security since state governors do not control the security apparatus in their various states.
Victor Tew
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.