News
Rivers Polls: Tribunal Begins Hearing Of Petition, Tuesday
The Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, will on Tuesday, begin hearing all other motions brought before it by parties, just as it technically commences hearing the main petition.
The tribunal had last Wednesday adjourned to August 25 after ruling on five preliminary applications by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its gubernatorial candidate for the April 11, 2015, elections, Dr Dakuku Peterside.
The tribunal had during the ruling, dismissed the application by the All Progressives Congress Governorship Candidate, Mr. Dakuku Peterside and his party to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to move the election materials used for the April 11, 2015, governorship election to Abuja for inspection.
The tribunal headed by Justice Mu’azu Pindiga, dismissed the application on the grounds that it lacked merit and could not take precedence over a subsisting order given by the tribunal in June on the same issue.
The tribunal had earlier given an order, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the petitioner access to the election materials comprising; ballot papers and result sheets, an order, Pindiga said, still stands
The tribunal also first struck out the request by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, asking for a stay of execution on the tribunal’s order of June 11 which permitted the petitioner to inspect the election materials in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Pindiga said the application was struck out because of the failure of the counsel to the applicant, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), to move the motion at the last proceedings despite being asked by the tribunal to do so, thereby deeming the motion abandoned.
The tribunal also rejected the motion by INEC, challenging the competence of the petition, saying that the motion would be heard along with the main petition.
Also dismissed by the tribunal for lack of merit was a motion by the petitioner, asking that election materials used in Rivers State be moved from Port Harcourt to INEC head office in Abuja for easy inspection on grounds that INEC officials in Rivers State refused to cooperate with the petitioner in the execution of the June 11 order.
But counsel to the petitioner, Emeka Ngige, said they would deploy alternative measures to make INEC comply with the rules of evidence.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chapter of the APC has said that the ruling of the tribunal would help fast-track hearing of the main petition, to enable them meet the deadline prescribed by the Electoral Act for hearing of election petitions in the country.
In a statement in Port Harcourt, Publicity Secretary of the party, Chris Finebone, said that with the ruling, the 180-day deadline provided in the law would be met, if the tribunal begins to hear the petition expeditiously.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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