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EU Envoy Visits Peterside …As Jega Charges Election Observers
Head of European Union Delegation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Ambassador Michel Arrion, has called for violence-free polls across Nigeria. He said the European Union are friends of Nigeria and Nigerians, therefore the regional body is concerned about the forth-coming general elections.
Arrion said this in Port Harcourt during a courtesy call on Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State.
The envoy who expressed anxiety over increasing tension ahead of March 28 and April 11 elections, called on political actors to play by the rules to avoid violence or anything that is capable of discrediting the elections.
He said, “I just started my visit this morning. This is my first visit to Port Harcourt and I am meeting with the governor and the candidates for the governorship elections. For me, it is an opportunity to discuss with all the candidates and political stakeholders, including civil societies to get a sense of state politics and electoral processes. We also want to see what is going on, not only at state level but also at the federal level.
“I am always raising the same issues with all politicians, primarily the question of violence. We very much unfortunately anticipate violence. As EU, we are friends of Nigeria and Nigerians and we would like to avoid violence by all means. So what kind of prevention, what kind of preparation can we support? That is why we are here”, he added.
Responding, Peterside commended EU for their timely intervention. He said nothing could have been better for Nigerians in this season of election than this violence-free election initiative.
He pledged his commitment to peaceful elections and called on Nigerians to continue to support such initiatives, insisting that credible elections come only where there is no violence and chaos.
He noted that all eyes are on Nigeria, therefore the highest level of conduct is expected from us.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday urged election observers for the upcoming general elections to abide by the guidelines of the exercise.
Jega who made the call at a meeting with accredited domestic and foreign observers for the elections in Abuja. He commended the role of the observers in previous elections, saying that it was crucial because it supported the commission to improve on the country’s electoral process.
He restated that observers’ reports on the 2011 general elections guided the commission in preparing for the upcoming polls.
Jega, however, urged the observers to work only within the functions and powers as clearly spelt out in the electoral process.
According to him, while an election monitor exercises some level of lawful authority over the conduct of elections, “an observer has no such powers’’.
He said“In Nigeria, a monitor must be duly authorised personnel of the INEC; an observer is independent and reports only to his or her organisation. A monitor can issue instructions and take instructions on behalf of INEC and to that extent, would ordinarily possess a greater technical knowledge of the election process than an observer,’’ Jega explained.
The INEC chairman added that the commission had concluded arrangements to enable the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to vote in the elections, adding that the arrangement would ensure that there was a safe place for the IDPs to vote.
According to him, this will apply to IDPs from areas that are worst hit by the insurgency, specifically in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
“The plan is to create voting centres in safe areas,” he added.
A domestic observer, Mr Folarin Olayinka, who is the Chairman, Ogun branch of Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), expressed satisfaction with INEC’s code of conduct for observers for the elections.
Olayinka said that there was no doubt that INEC would conduct elections in the states affected by insurgency in view of the progress made by the military in regaining areas hitherto occupied by the insurgents.
“It is of no doubt as well that we will observe the process and at the appropriate time, we will come out with the outcome to the appropriate authority,’’ he said.
Similarly, Mr Sentell Barnes, Resident Programe Officer (Nigeria) of the International Republican Institute (IRI), said that the meeting served as a good platform for observers to understand their roles during the elections.
He said that the six weeks extension period for the election provided ample opportunity for INEC to get better prepared to conduct the polls.
“It has also given the political parties the time to really move away from campaign rallies and get more focused on issues. “We are at a better time than we were for the February 14 date.“People are ready and hope there will be no violence and will go and express their right to vote,’’ Barnes said.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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