Politics
2027: Diri Unveils RHA LG Coordinators, APC Congress Panel
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has inaugurated coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) in the eight local government areas for the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Diri charged the coordinators to mobilise members of the party for the ward, local government and state congresses and ensure success for the APC at all levels, stating that the state coordinator remained Chief Tiwei Orunimighe.
He urged the RHA to operate an inclusive leadership at the local government and state levels as well as work with the South-South Zonal Coordinator, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, former governor of Delta State.
The Bayelsa State governor gave the charge during the APC stakeholders meeting at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, cautioning leaders of the party against divisive tendencies.
He urged party stakeholders to ensure unity of purpose and success in their various wards and local government areas, while also imploring members to shelve personal political ambitions for now and focus on President Bola Tinubu’s second term re-election bid in 2027.
“We’re aware that some of you have personal political ambitions. However, put such ambitions on hold for now. You belong to a political party that has only one ambition that is above every other ambition, which is the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
So, the major purpose of this meeting is to ensure that the nomination of President Tinubu as the only presidential candidate of the APC in the forthcoming election is our number one priority”, he said.
The RHA local government coordinators are Kuro Matthias Nyenye (Nembe), Dr. Godson Torukuru (Yenagoa), Uroh Kiani (Brass) and Engr. Biewari Orupeighe (Southern Ijaw)
Others are High Chief Okubokakpo Ombu (Sagbama), Chief Ebinyo Turner (Ogbia), Rt.Hon. Tonye Isenah (Kolokuma/Opokuma) and Hon. Orubebe Ogeibiri (Ekeremor).
Governor Diri also announced committees to oversee the party’s ward congresses.
For Brass, members of the committee are the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Hon. Sunny Goli, and Victor Sam-Ateki.
Ekeremor has the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Michael Ogbere, former Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi, Chief Fidelis Agbiki, and Hon. Tari Porri as members.
Chief Isaac Kumokou (KOLGA Constituency 1) and Dr. Tarilah Tebepah ( KOLGA Constituency 2) are in charge of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA.
In Nembe, the committee has the APC acting state chairman, Dr Dennis Otiotio, Senator Degi Eremienyo, former Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (Rtd) as well as Hon. Ebi Ben-Ololo and Hon. Oteigbanyo Braah.
Ogbia has Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Senator Benson Agadaga and Hon. Gabriel Ogbara as members while for Sagbama, the members are the Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Commission, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Peter Akpe, and Chief Kemi Prefa.
The ward congress committee for Southern Ijaw has as members Senator Konbowei Benson, Hon. Rodney Ambaiowei, Monday Obolo-Bubou, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, and Chief David Lyon while Yenagoa has a former acting governor and former Speaker of the State Assembly, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu, Hon. Oforji Oboku, Dr. Gentle Emelah and Chief Boma Spero-Jack.
In his remarks, the chairman of the APC caretaker committee, Dr. Otiotio, said the party’s national secretariat had published the timetable for ward, local government, state congresses and the national convention.
He stated that the ward and local government congresses would hold on February 18 and 21 respectively while the state congress is slated for March 1, 2026.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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.
