Niger Delta

Rivers Rerun: Resign Now, Secondus Tells INEC Chairman

Published

10 years ago

July 4, 2016

As the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) prepares to conclude the rerun elections in Rivers State, the former National Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has called on the National Chairman of the INEC to resign immediately for failure to conduct any free and fair election in the country so far.
The Rivers State INEC, had recently announced its preparation to conclude the legislative re-run elections it abandoned since April 19, and had asked the various political parties to sign undertaking to keep the peace.
Reacting to the INEC plans for the re-run elections, Prince Secondus, while speaking with the press at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, pointed out that Nigerians have lost faith in the State INEC to conduct a free and fair election, and that the only option left for the INEC National Chairman and Mrs Amina Zachari, was to resign now to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the electoral body.
According to Prince Secondus, the inability of the INEC to conduct any free and fair election across the country so far; was a shame and sign of incompetence.
The INEC he further said, had so far, conducted the worst elections in the country and that he was still in doubt, if anything good could come out of the present electoral body because of its attachment to the ruling party, the APC.
“The present INEC is currently a parastatal of the APC and therefore was being tele guided and playing the scripts of the APC”.
On the re-run elections in Rivers State, the PDP strongman advised the state INEC, to ensure that it was open, transparent, free and fair to avoid plunging the state back to another crisis.
He accused the State INEC of being responsible for the crisis that erupted in the state in the past because of its inability to conduct a free and fair election and its determination to donate some constituencies to the APC.
On the refusal of the State INEC to release the already collated results on the April 19 re-run election, the PDP former National Deputy Chairman, described it as pure injustice and an unconstitutional act and called for the immediate release of the results before the planned re-run elections, in Rivers State.
Prince Secondus commended the people of Rivers State for their stand and vigilance during the last elections and further urged them to still turn out in their large number to defend their votes, which he said was their right.
Rivers State he explained, belonged to the PDP and not to any other party and that the people should rise up and defend their votes because the re-run elections was between the PDP versus the INEC, the Federal Government and various security agencies.
He used the occasion to invite the foreign observers, the United Nations, the embassies and foreign missions in Nigeria to come and observe the re-run elections in the state.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

3 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The National Population Commission (NPC), on Friday, launched the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (eCRVS) in Delta State, designed to strengthen data generation and vital statistics management.

The Tide’s source reports that the system was launched by the Delta Federal Commissioner, Mrs. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba, at a news briefing in Asaba.

Brume-Ataguba recalled that President Bola Tinubu formally launched the eCRVS in November 2023 as part of the efforts to modernise Nigeria’s civil registration process.

She said the initiative followed resolutions reached at the Sixth Session of the Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Addis Ababa in 2022.

According to her, African ministers urged member states to automate civil registration processes and implement the UN Legal Identity Agenda.

“Nigeria responded by developing an electronic, technology-driven system to enhance data generation and improve civil statistics nationwide,” Brume-Ataguba said.

She said NPC, in collaboration with UNICEF, produced an eCRVS Operational Readiness Assessment Report to guide implementation.

She explained that the partnership aims to establish a fully digital civil registration system that converts records of vital events into reliable statistics for effective planning and decision-making.

Brume-Ataguba described the initiative as a complete shift from paper-based documentation to a modern digital platform aligned with international best practices.

She said the system would transform the way births and deaths were recorded, tracked and analysed across the country.

“This process marks a complete departure from the traditional paper-based recording of vital events to a state-of-the-art digital solution that conforms to international best practices.

“This eCRVS promises to revolutionise how vital events are recorded, tracked and analysed in the country.

“This will ensure commitments, and a sustained national, international financial and political investment for birth registration within the CVRS in Nigeria, ” Brume-Ataguba said.

She also said the launch demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening civil registration data capture and processing.

She further said improved vital statistics would support national development planning and help Nigeria achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Brume-Ataguba continued that the state-level launch was necessary to sensitise the media and the public on the significance of the digital registration system.

She described the media as a vital partner in informing and educating citizens about the importance of registering vital events electronically.

She further assured residents that competent ICT personnel were available at the state level to address technical challenges and provide support.

The NPC commissioner emphasised that the eCRVS would overhaul the registration of births and deaths in the country and lay a solid foundation for efficient civil statistics management.

She urged stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to realise its goal of providing accurate and timely vital registration data.

She announced that the current phase of the e-CRVS programme would be concluded in March.

In her remark, the NPC State Director, Mrs. Jane Odigwe, appealed to the Delta Government to support the implementation of the system in the state.

“Your partnership is vital in helping us to reach this goal,” Odigwe said.

She also urged parents to register their children, saying that a birth certificate is essential for access to education, healthcare and other opportunities.

She said that registering children today would secure their identity and future participation in Nigeria’s development.

“To every parent in Delta, I urge you to bring your children forward for birth registration.

“A birth certificate is not just a document but your child’s key to education, healthcare and global opportunities.

“By registering your child today, you are giving them a voice in Nigeria of tomorrow,” Odigwe said.

Niger Delta

Police Uncover Suspects’ Armoury … Recover Weapons In Delta

Published

3 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has recovered assorted weapons from a criminal hideout in the state.

Spokesman for the Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to newsmen, who on Friday in Warri, said the weapons were recovered on Thursday by the operatives of the Command’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson.

He said the feat was achieved following a confession by a suspect handed over to the police team by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orerokpe Division, for further interrogation.

Edafe said the suspect was alleged to be a member of a criminal syndicate terrorising commuters and residents on the Warri/Sapele Road.

“On February 19, acting on information obtained during interrogation, the suspect led the operatives to a concealed armoury located on the Sapele/Warri Road by the Adheje Community axis.

“A thorough search of the hideout resulted in the recovery of a locally made long gun, a locally made cut-to-size gun.

“Also recovered were a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition, 10 live cartridges and a dagger,” he said.

Edafe stated that the investigation into the matter was ongoing.

He, however, quoted the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Command, Mr. Aina Adesola, to have reiterated the command’s resolve in dismantling criminal networks, and mopping up illegal firearms, among others, in the state.

Niger Delta

Police Caution On Lawless Protests On Court Matters In A’Ibom

Published

3 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has cautioned on threats of lawless protests by some members of the public over matters that are already before the courts.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, told newsmen in Uyo on Friday that illegal protests could undermine public peace and order.

“When matters are already in court, let’s follow legal and civil means to seek redress. That is how a civilised society works.

“Although we recognise the constitutional rights of citizens to lawful expression and peaceful assembly, illegal protests are not allowed,” he said.

Azare said the Command would not tolerate threats or acts of nude protests, unlawful occupation of public or private facilities, and disruption of government, economic or social activities.

He said anyone found culpable of engaging in acts or threats of illegal protests would be prosecuted in line with the law.

“As a Command, we are committed to the maintenance of law and order, we are also committed to protecting lives and property”, he stated.