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INEC Blames Inconclusive Polls On Politicians …Reschedules Rerun For July 31
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has accused Rivers State politicians across party lines as being responsible for the non-conclusion of the March 19 re-run elections in the state, even as the commission has hinted that the cancelled or suspended elections may be conducted in the state on or before July 31.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC, Elder Aniedi A. Ikoiwak, made this assertion during a consultative meeting with critical stakeholders and 28 political parties at the state Police Officers Mess, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Ikoiwak stated that the idea behind the meeting was for the commission to find out from the politicians and the various political parties if they were ready for the conclusion of the remaining elections in the state.
He stated that elections would be conducted across the three Senatorial Districts of the State in all the 2,011 Wards with a total of 947,424 votes expected to be cast.
The election for Federal House Constituencies would be conducted in 169 Wards with a total of 820,974 votes as well as in the state constituencies.
He opined that the undue interest of the politicians during the election resulted in the non-conclusion of the elections, complaining that INEC was not allowed to perform its duties by the politicians and their supporters.
According to him, INEC cannot work in isolation but in partnership with the various stakeholders, and urged them to help the commission by being peaceful.
“Politicians must allow us do our work. RAG Centres were created to solve the problem of late arrival of materials to the polling units on the day of election. If you have any reasons why any RAG centre should not be where it is, write to us, we will consult the various security agencies and take decision.
“We will occupy those FAG centres this time. Don’t prevent our personnel from doing their jobs. We have taken stock of the 2016 elections. You people should also face your own stock,” he stated.
The State INEC Resident Commissioner assured all the candidates and the various political parties of INEC’s non-partisanship, adding that all the elections results collated during the batched elections were intact and will be counted and announced during the rescheduled elections.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner of Police and Chairman of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in the state, Musa Kimo, said the essence of the meeting was for all stakeholders to interact and agree how best to achieve success in the next round of Election without violence.
Represented by the ACP Operations, Mohammed Ali, the Police boss maintained that the security agents were ready at anytime to ensure free and fair Elections in the state.
In their various contributions, the All Progressives Congress (APC), represented by the State Chairman, Hon. Davies Ikanya, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), represented by Senator George Sekibo, lauded the INEC for the meeting, and reaffirmed their readiness for the conduct of the election in the state.
They urged the commission to go beyond mere appeal, and punish the violators of the election guidelines, adding that such would serve as a deterrent to those who commit violence during Election.
High point of the event was a minute’s of silence observed in honour of those who lost their lives during the re-run elections.
All the Service Chiefs in the state were present including the Customs, NSCDC, Prisons, FRSC, NDLEA and NOA.
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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