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Complaints Trail Voters’ Registration In Delta

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15 years ago

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The people of Delta State have joined in the nationwide laments over the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s inadequate Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines, incompetent ad-hoc staff and time-consuming finger print scanners for the ongoing voter registration exercise.

   In Asaba, Delta State capital, series of complains have trailed the exercise as INEC ad-hoc National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members clamour for better equipment while potential  voters are requesting for more registration centres and workforce.

   At Uzoigwe Primary School in Asaba, the INEC ad-hoc officials had problems with the scanners and printers, which takes more than 10 to 15 minutes to register an individual .Consequently,  people complain against the concentration of over six DDC machines in one venue despite the opening of several schools for the exercise.”

     The major problem we encounter here is that of thumb printing.

    The scanner does not pick fingerprints on time and it has caused much delay, depending on the person’s finger. Some take up to 40 minutes to pick”, complained Juliet Orji, an ad-hoc worker.

  According to Tony Young Ebifade, “Some of the shortcomings of the exercise are shortage of DDC machines, poor performance of the scanners, power packs and inadequate registration centres”.  

  At Okpanam, in Oshimili North Local Government Area, a politician, Mr. Friday Jebosa alleged that “despite the very impressive turn-out of prospective voters, only four persons were registered at Unit 4 between 07am and 12 noon when the DDC machine finally packed up. We waited till 05pm when they closed.

  “INEC should urently release more DDC machines and personnel to Okpanam as a result of this exercise. As large as this community, INEC provided only two DDC machine which are quite inadequate”, he said.

   The delay, according to dependable Government House source, has made it difficult for the state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to register and regain his franchise ahead of the forthcoming general election as Governorship flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

   It had been the same thing  in the three Warri Local Government Areas of Delta State (Warri Federal constituency), as eligible voters could not register following the delay in the commencement of the exercise in the areas.

   At Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area, INEC officials and equipment did not show up, thereby causing worry among the people.

   A resident in Koko complained that, “Warri North had 38,708 during the re-run election, Warri South (58,984) and Warri South West (56,458). Over 154,150 of our people are going to be disenfranchised if care is not taken”.

 The Warri Federal Constituency’s  representatives at the House of Representatives, Mr Daniel Reyenieju, said the delay in the commencement of the exercise in his constituency despite the large turn out by the people, has created fear among eligible voters over disenfranchisement ahead of the April, 2011 general elections. 

   ”I am aghast as to why INEC has refused to effect commencement of voter’s registration in Warri Federal constituency. Could this be a ploy for an orchestrated end of ominous dimension against the prospective electorates of this constituency?” Reyenieju” questioned.

   Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, who led protesters numbering over 100 to the Warri INEC office, called on INEC to add additional three days extension to the three Warri councils to make up for the three days already lost.

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Niger Delta

C’River Bans VIOs From Road Operations 

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6 days ago

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March 9, 2026

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The Cross River State Government has banned the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from road operations across the state.
The State Governor, Bassey Out, who made the announcement in Calabar on Saturday, restricted activities of the VIO to office duties.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary,  Mr. Linus  Obogo, the directive followed protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators over high tickets, excessive fines and alleged harassment by enforcement teams.
The Governor, who made other announcements in the sector, said the measures were approved after a meeting with key transport stakeholders.
According to the statement, other announcements made was the reduction of daily ticket fee from N850 to N500,  while the penalty for failure to purchase the ticket had also been reduced to N10,000.
“All traffic-related fines be slashed by 50 per cent and must be paid only into designated Cross River State Government accounts.
“Daily ticket for tricycle riders have been reduced from N1,200 to N500. However, every activity of commercial tricycle operators ends at 6 p.m. daily, night operations are permanently banned,” Otu asserted.
He said the review was aimed to ease the burden on drivers and restore order in the state’s transport system.
Speaking further, the Governor said the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) would now focus on vehicle registration and sale of tickets at approved rates.
He noted that enforcement officers must operate only in proper uniforms and with verifiable identification.
He directed the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA) to restrict its activities to statutory traffic management duties.
In addition, the Governor announced that “commercial bus drivers and tricycle riders will no longer purchase tickets on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
“These directives will take effect from March 9, and I urge all residents and transport operators to cooperate with relevant authorities.”
Speaking to The Tide’s source, some commercial drivers said the statement did not address some activities of TRAMRA such as the illegal “no parking order” for drivers who only pick and drop passengers.
For Johnson Ade, a commercial driver,  there should be an official release stating the traffic infractions in the state and the fine for each of them.
He said slashing the fines by 50 per cent was ambiguous, adding that the amounts to be paid for each crime should be clearly stated to prevent criminal elements who posed as government traffic regulatory officials from abusing the directive.
On his part, Mr. Sunday Dennis, Metropolitan Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), said they would convene a meeting immediately to critically look at the governor’s statement.
It would be recalled that series of protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators had led to the suspension of all forms of  transport tickets in the state by the government.
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Niger Delta

A’Ibom Community Seeks Govt Recognition For Elected Village Head

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6 days ago

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March 9, 2026

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Some indigenes of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, in Ikpe Annang Clan, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have called on the State Government to recognize Chief Samuel James Udo as the authentic Village Head of the community by according him a Certificate of Recognition.
According to them, the call is necessitated by the fact that Chief Udo has won the first and second election processes on 1st May, 2021 and 15th July 2025.
The indigenes said in addition to his emergence after the two election processes, Chief Udo’s emergence has been confirmed by Chief Akpan Akpa Inyang (Okuku Ikpa Isong Annang), who has handed him (Udo) to “UDAK” as stipulated by the custom and tradition of Annang Land.
They said Udo’s emergence marked the end of every struggle by individuals or groups of persons on the issue of headship of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, Ikpe Annang Land, in Essien Udim Local Government Area.
According to them, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, should call for the recognition of the Village Head-elect of Mbiabong Ikpe Village in accordance with the Traditional Rulers Council Law of Akwa Ibom State, CAP 134.
This, they said, is because he has been duly and rightly selected by the kingmakers as the village Head-elect and have satisfied all requirements in the extant law for the said selection.
“We are informing the Akwa Ibom State Government of the development, because any imposition of any other name to the Governor will not be accepted by the community”, they said.
Meanwhile, they have alleged that some “enemies of progress are causing problem over the Chieftaincy issue after the winner has emerged and accepted by the entire Kingmakers.”
When contacted the Village Head-elect, Chief Samuel James Udo, advised the people not to cause any crises, saying that their mandate will not be denied.
“I will continue to respect the law. My people are law abiding citizens and God will surely stand for true justice and the certificate will be given to me, not through fighting, causing unrest, or violence, but by our faith in God, and the belief that the relevant authorities will do the needful”, he said.
By: Christopher Tom, Uyo
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Niger Delta

Delta Unveils World Book Day Festival

Published

6 days ago

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March 9, 2026

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The Delta State government on Saturday unveiled the LightRay! Distortion World Book Day Festival.
The festival, themed “That Which Bends, Transcends,” is a major celebration of literature, storytelling, and cultural advocacy in the state.
It was unveiled at the office of the Head of Service, Mrs. Mininim Oseji, in Asaba.
The event was organised by LightRay! Media, in partnership with the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA) and Unchained Vibes Africa.
Founder and President of the media group, Ejiro Umukoro, described the event as the first large-scale literary festival in the state.
She explained that the initiative aims to engage both marginalised and privileged communities in dialogue on resilience, hope, and social change through literature.
Highlighting the transformative power of storytelling, Umukoro said literature can inspire action, reshape perspectives, and drive social change within communities.
According to her, the festival builds on the impact of the Distortion novel series produced by LightRay! Media, which explores themes of human resilience, personal agency, and renewal.
She noted that the book has supported social awareness campaigns and legislative advocacy, contributing to the abolition of the Osu caste system in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo.
“The novel has also received literary recognition, including the TYB Young Adult Literature Prize in 2024,” she added.
Umukoro further revealed that the Delta Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has approved Distortion as a recommended literature text for students.
She expressed concern over the poor condition of public libraries across the state, noting that many remain inactive or non-functional.
”Urban libraries also struggle with outdated collections, inadequate infrastructure, and limited professional staffing”, she said.
Umukoro urged stakeholders to rebuild libraries, strengthen reading communities, and equip facilities with modern learning resources.
“The three-month festival will feature competitions, workshops, creative showcases, and professional development programmes, Umukoro said.
The Permanent Secretary in the office of the Head of Service, Mr. Wilson Chukwuka, commended the initiative.
The leader of the National Association of Seadogs, Mr. Michael Nwaidei, said the project aligns with efforts to encourage critical thinking and knowledge acquisition among young people.
Nwaidei was represented by a member of the association, Mr. Uche Egbuche.
The Tide’s source reports that guests, educators, creatives, and literary enthusiasts from across the state and diaspora communities attended the festival.
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