Politics
Govt House In Retrospect
Governor Chibuike Amaechi returned from the United Kingdom (UK) last week after participating in the commonwealth observers’ day.
He delivered a speech in the forum on how he had to tackle poverty and empower the youths. Amaechi had used his success story in Rivers State to demonstrate government capability in transforming lives of young persons and giving them a future.
On returning from the London forum, Tuesday the Rivers State Chief Executive participated in the National Council of States meeting at Abuja. The council deliberated and approved presidential pardon to some prominent Nigerians, including former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepriye Alamieseigha among others on Thursday, the Governor proceeded to Okrika Local Government Area for a Town Hall Meeting with the people of Wakrike. He enumerated the programmes, and policies implemented in the area, which include primary schools, health centres and roads.
Aside infrastructure, Governor Amaechi stated that his administration has also carried out sandfilling and shore protection in some Okrika communities.
More importantly, he disclosed the need to provide water for the people of the area. Amaechi used the forum to explain why government pulled out from the real water scheme, recalling that the federal government had intervened, hence the state government opted out.
He, however, assured that in the interim the state government will resume the water scheme to avert epidemic, since the people of the area lack access to safe, potable water.
On Friday, the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Mbu told Amaechi that he was on a familiarization tour with the cream of police officers in his team to rub minds with the state government on ways to enhance security in the state.
Later the same day, Governor Amaechi received the new Exco of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) led by its President, Femi Adesina who commended the Governor’s developmental strides.
Adesina, while canvassing support for Governor Amaechi as Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said the guild “will gladly stand and support anybody who stands by the people.”
The NGE President further said of Governor Amaechi, “we have seen what your government does and more for the people,” assuring that the body would always stand by people-oriented leaders.
Responding, the Rivers State Governor decribed the guild as the voice of the voiceless,” you constitute the part of the elites who stand for conscience and are sort of speaking for the poor. You speak to make sure things are corrected.
On Saturday, Governor Amaechi was among dignitaries who celebrated the 70th birthday of Rivers State first Military Governor and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff.
The Rivers State Government threw a lavish party for King Spiff in Government House, as Governor Amaechi reiterated the administration’s plan to build a house for the former celebrated governor.”
While congratulating Commander (Rtd) Diete-Spiff, the Governor remarked, “I wish you a wonderful birthday. I wish and pray to be 70 years one day”…
On security, Governor Amaechi harped on the need for peace and reiterated the resolve of government to flush out miscreants who would want to break the fragile peace witnessed in the area since he assumed office.
Governor Amaechi played host to the new state Commissioner of Police on Friday. Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu had paid a courtesy visit to him at Government House.
When commending the police in the state for their efforts so far in combating crime, he urged the new state police to beef up efforts in checking the upsurge of crime in recent times.
“I must tell you that 80 per cent of those who commit crime in the state are arrested,” the Governor observed, “so I must commend your officers for that, but I’ am also aware that there is little upsurge in crime, and I think we must address it now.”
Alhaji Mohammed Kasim, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has won the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Philip Akpeni, the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced the results on Sunday morning.
Alhaji Kasim polled 22,165 votes to defeat Alhaji Yahaya Shehu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 17,788 votes.
Alhaji Biko Umar of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) scored 1, 687 to come in third place.
“I am the returning officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Gwagwalada chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026,” Akpeni said.
“That Mohammed Kasim of PDP, having certified the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”
In the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, the APC candidate, was declared the winner of the chairmanship poll with 40,295 votes.
Andrew Abue, the Collation Officer for AMAC, said Hon. Maikalangu, who is the incumbent AMAC chairman, was returned elected having scored the highest number of votes cast.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) came second with 12,109 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 3,398 votes.
According to Abue, the total number of valid votes in the chairmanship poll was 62,861, while the total votes cast stood at 65,197.
He added that the number of registered voters in AMAC was 837,338, while the total number of accredited voters was 65,676.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mr. Joshua Ishaku of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Bwari Area Council Chairmanship election.
Announcing the result on Sunday in Bwari, the Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Mohammed Nurudeen, stated that Ishaku polled a total of 18,466 votes to emerge victorious in the February 21, 2026 poll.
“I am the Returning Officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Bwari chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026. That Joshua Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” Nurudeen said.
According to the results declared, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured 4,254 votes, while the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) polled 3,515 votes to place second and third respectively.
The declaration adds to the series of results emerging from the 2026 FCT Area Council elections, as political parties assess their performance ahead of future contests.
INEC UPLOADS 2,602 OF 2,822 FCT CHAIRMANSHIP RESULTS ON IReV
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had uploaded 2,602 out of the 2,822 expected polling unit results from Saturday’s chairmanship elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as at 5:55am on Sunday, data retrieved from its Result Viewing Portal (IReV) showed.
According to The Tide source, the figure represents an overall upload rate of about 92.2 per cent across the six area councils of the territory.
A council-by-council breakdown indicates that Municipal Area Council recorded the highest number of submissions in absolute terms, with 1,309 of 1,401 polling unit results uploaded, representing 93.43 per cent.
In Gwagwalada Area Council, 330 of the expected 338 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 97.63 per cent — the highest upload rate among the six councils.
In Bwari Area Council, INEC uploaded 463 of 485 polling unit results, translating to 95.46 per cent.
In Abaji Area Council, 129 of 135 polling unit results had been uploaded as at 5:55am, representing 95.56 per cent.
In Kwali Area Council, 164 of the expected 201 polling unit results were available on the portal, representing 81.59 per cent.
In Kuje Area Council, 207 of 262 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 79.01 per cent — the lowest rate among the six councils as at the time of review.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group described the swift assent as a clear demonstration of political will to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We see the decision by President Bola Tinubu to sign the reworked 2022 Electoral Act into law within a few hours of its passage as a demonstration of political will to ensure an improved electoral process which the new law envisages,” the group said.
The TMSG expressed confidence that the development would enable the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to quickly align its operations with the new provisions in preparation for the 2027 polls.
The group noted that the provision for electronic transmission of results had been contentious but described its codification in the law as a significant step forward.
“So, for the first time, the country’s electoral law would be recognising the use of the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the result viewing portal, IREV, which were just INEC guidelines in 2023,” it stated.
According to the TMSG, although the Act provides for electronic transmission of results from polling units to the IREV portal, it also makes room for manual transmission of Form EC8A result sheets as a backup in the event of technological failure.
“Unlike some Nigerians, we do not see anything wrong with the fallback plan but we agree with the President that no matter how beautiful a process is with improved technology, the onus lies on the people manning it to show good faith and ensure that the votes of the people really count at the end of the day,” the statement added.
The group highlighted other key provisions in the amended law, including the streamlining of party primaries to either consensus or direct primaries, early release of funds to INEC, reinforced measures against over-voting, and stiffer sanctions for electoral offences such as falsification of results.
It also pointed out that the mandatory notice period for elections has been reduced from 360 days to 300 days, giving INEC more flexibility in adjusting the timetable for the 2027 elections, especially where it may clash with Ramadan.
The TMSG further observed that the President’s decision to sign the bill days before the forthcoming Area Council Election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) underscores his desire for the law to take immediate effect.
“And by signing the amendment bill a few days before the Area Council Election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it is obvious that the President is keen on ensuring that the 2026 Electoral Act takes immediate effect.
“Nigerians would also have an opportunity to see some of the key provisions of the new electoral law become operational, especially the electronic transmission of results,” it said.
The group expressed optimism that the current INEC leadership would leverage the new legal framework to deliver a more credible and widely acceptable electioneering process than in previous electoral cycles.
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