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Release Rerun Results …850 Rivers Groups Tell INEC …Threaten Court Action
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State (middle), with UN Assistant Secretary General, Mr Toby Lanzer (left), during a visit to assess the humanitarian crisis in Bama, Borno State on Wednesday
Barely 20 days after the rerun state and National Assembly elections in Rivers State, the Coalition of Concerned Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) for the NEW Rivers Vision, comprising more than 850 bodies, has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately release the remaining results covering all the local governments in which elections were conducted successfully on March 19.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency state working committee meeting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, and signed by the President, Comrade Christian Obi, and Secretary, John-Paul Uzor, the coalition said INEC had no justifiable reason to withhold the results of elections that had been concluded.
The coalition, which claimed to have monitored the elections in all the units and wards where INEC conducted the rerun elections, emphasized that the process was credible, free and fair, “except for a few nipping points in Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme local government areas”, stressing that “the process in virtually all the local governments where the elections were suspended was purely logistical hitches arising from the commission’s weak preparations”.
It listed Bonny and Andoni as clear cases where the commission failed to meet its set timeline for the delivery of electoral materials and the expectations of the people, as well as Etche, where INEC abdicated its responsibility to deliver election materials to the designated units for the proper conduct of elections, while blaming the commission for failing to enlist adequate security protection for electoral materials in most areas.
The coalition noted that the purported violence which ‘marred’ the rerun elections in some parts of the state was triggered by the commission’s unwillingness to allow the electorate exercise their franchise freely, saying that if adequate preparations had been made, election material would have reached all polling units as early as 8am and elections concluded by 2pm as promised by INEC.
According to the coalition, “INEC has no justification to withhold results of an election it deliberately bungled”, adding that what the commission was doing amounted to “an attempt to thwart the will of the people who voted massively for the candidates of their choice on March 19”.
While congratulating all those who have already been declared winners in their various constituencies, the coalition urged the losers to accept defeat as good sportsmen and women, and join forces with the government to move the state forward.
The coalition also threatened to challenge INEC’s decision not to release the remaining results in a court of competent jurisdiction to restore the rights of the candidates to be voted for by the electorate, pointing out that the commission had already violated the provisions of the Electoral Act as Amended.
It stated that the inability of INEC to declare the remaining results and hand over certificate of return to winners was adversely affecting the democratic transition process and the delivery of dividends of good governance to Rivers people and other residents of the state.
The concerned coalition for the NEW Rivers Vision also charged the electorate in Rivers State not to despair and lose confidence in the democratic process, even as they prepare to vote again for the candidates of their choice and reaffirm their support for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) at the yet-to-be-rescheduled rerun elections in the suspended eight local government areas of Akuku-Toru, Andoni, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Gokana, Khana, and Tai, to ensure the peace, stability and sustainable development of the state.
Similarly, the Degema Local Government chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has given a 72-hour ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare winner of the Degema Constituency rerun election of March 19th, 2016 or face legal action.
Coordinator of the NYCN, Godspower Ipalibo Madodoye, stated this at a press conference in Port Harcourt.
The youth leader stressed that the Electoral Act empowers INEC to conduct election and declare winners of such elections, while those who disagree with INEC should go to the tribunal or court to seek legal redress.
He said that the refusal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Aniedi Ikoiwak, to declare the winner of the rerun elections was unacceptable to the youth of the area, stressing that the situation was capable of causing crisis in the area.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene