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We Won’t Tolerate Any Secessionist Group – Wike

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5 years ago

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The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike , has reiterated that he would not tolerate any secessionist group that wants to use the state as a base for its nefarious activities.
Governor Wike stated this, last Tuesday, when he received the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, on courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt.
“ All those who are talking about their independence, they can go anywhere, but not from here.  We are not part of any secession”, the Governor said, and assured that the state government would support the army and other security agencies in fighting crime and criminality in this state.
Governor Wike who acknowledged that the new Chief of Army Staff had started  well, leading to restoration of public confidence in the army, stressed the need  for the army to shun politics in the interest of the nation.
Lt. General Attahiru said he was in the state on assessment of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army and commended the Governor for the prevailing peace and security in the state and his zero tolerance for separatist groups.
The Rivers State Governor, last Saturday, honoured the Afrobeat artist, Burna Boy  whose real name  is Damini Ogulu, from Ahoada in Rivers State with  Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State(DSSRS) for winning the prestigious Granny Award.
DSSRS is the highest state honoure given by the state to someone who distinguished himself  in the state.
He gave Burna Boy the honour when the artist in company of his parents, paid Governor Wike a courtesy visit in Government House Port Harcourt .
Also last week, the new Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Daniel Bertrand, had a closed door meeting with Governor Wike in Government House Port Harcourt.
“ This is my first visit to Rivers State. So. I want to pay a courtesy call on his Excellency, the Governor. I am here to visit the state and to visit Belgian companies existing in this area.
“ There are already some Belgian companies existing in Nigeria with facilities in Rivers State. So we have some opportunities to have our facilities in gas and agriculture”, the Ambassador said.
Another event in Brick House, last week was the approval for the construction of two major roads in the state by the State Executive Council. The Trans Kalabari, and phase two of Saakpenwa- Bori- Kono road projects were approved for construction at  the cost of N27.6 billion.
The Commissioner of Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi who briefed journalists after the State Executive Council meeting held last Wednesday, said the 13.6KM long Trans Kalabari road contract would be executed by an indigenous company, Lubrick Construction Company at the cost of N13.6billion.
The Commissioner further disclosed that 17KM long Saakpenwa-Bori-Kono Road phase two would be constructed at the cost of N14 billion by Chinese Civil and Engineering Corporation. Both projects have 14 months duration.
In a similar development, the State Chief Executive also approved the dualisation of Ogbumnabali Road in the state capital.
A release by the state Commissioner of Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, said the project aimed at consolidating the urban renewal programme of the present administration would commence immediately.
The Governor warned that the full wrath of the law would be visited on anyone that would disrupt the execution of the project.
Also within the week under review, the state government offered foreign scholarship to three youths of the state who made the state proud by winning the National Youth Service Corpse (NYSC) Presidential Award. The awardees; Gilbert Kiaka Goodnews, Miss World Aruchi Rachael, and  Jasper Deebari Uchenna were offered  scholarship by the governor to read Masters and Ph.D in any foreign university or automatic employment in the state civil service.
By: Chris Oluoh
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Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice

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2 weeks ago

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April 2, 2026

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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.

 

 

 

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APC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide 

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2 weeks ago

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April 2, 2026

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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.

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AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU  …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR 

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2 weeks ago

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March 30, 2026

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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
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