News

Rivers Rerun: Police Smash Fake Result Sheets Printing Syndicate …INEC Has Hidden Agenda -Wike

Published

9 years ago

November 7, 2016

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) of colluding with a syndicate caught on Saturday printing fake election results sheets.

This follows the arrest of one Mr Atonye Peters and others on Saturday with fake INEC result sheets at a private printing press in D-Line axis of Port Harcourt.

Wike, who briefed newsmen in the presence of party stakeholders yesterday in Government House, Port Harcourt, said the bursting of the contracted printer has shown that the electoral umpire was colluding with the opposition, the All ProgressIves Congress(APC) to rig the upcoming re-runs slated for December 10th following a National Assembly resolution.

He expressed worry that until now no information or meeting has been scheduled with stakeholders by INEC on the units, wards where the rerun elections will be conducted, but rather the electoral body was busy scheming with the opposition on how to rig the elections.

The Rivers State governor said the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not fold its arms to watch glaring theft of the peoples mandate saying the sensitive material caught with the printers show that INEC is already compromised.

Aside that , he reasoned that INEC has contrived a fresh ploy to shift the elections again,” I will not be surprised if INEC goes ahead to postpone the conduct the elections…We know their antics we know what INEC would want to do.”

According to Wike, the plan is to swap original result sheets with the fake they printed so they can win in the upcoming election but said, “ we are not in Edo this is Rivers State.”

On the claims made by APC that the printer and those caught duplicating INEC sensitive materials as the handiwork of the PDP to malign the opposition, Wike said the evidence is glaring noting that the printer is the cousin of APC guber candidate in 2015 elections and also a card carrying member of the opposition party.

Insisting that the evidence is overwhelming against the APC, Wike displayed the printer, and the other sensitive materials seized from the culprits adding that, “ if the police fails to prosecute them, we will help ourselves, but as law abiding citizens we will want police to their job.”

Wike has also disclosed of plans by the police to bury the matter following the involvement of prominent APC chieftains in a fake result syndicate caught on Saturday in Port Harcourt.

The Rivers State governor in a chat with newsmen yesterday said, “ the police must go and arrest Emma Chinda the evidence is overwhelming against him.

The fake result printer when he was interrogated alleged that Emma Chinda gave them the contract to print the materials.

But Wike warned that the party will write to President Buhari as the matter is a dent to his administration’s quest to fight corruption.

“ I’am aware that if Mr President hears this he will never support it, because this is corruption,” the governor maintained.

The Printing Press, Help-Mate Consult, located at #12, Isiokpo Street, D-Line, Port Harcourt, was printing fake result sheets for seven local government areas of the Rivers South-East when the police stormed the facility following a tip-off by a concerned Nigerian.

The Director of Help-Mate Consult, Atonye Petersides, a prominent member of the APC from Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, claimed that the printing contract was given to him by an APC chieftain and former commissioner for agriculture under Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi-led administration, Emma Chinda.

According to him, the printing press has already completed two sets for two local government areas before the police got wind of the illegal act.

He was arrested alongside three of his staff, Richard Koko from Okrika, Nanee Godday from Khana and Tammy Garrick.

Items recovered by the police at the printing press, include state-of-the-art printing machine and computers.

The police also recovered Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Sheets Serial Number Booklets, which the printer used to authenticate the result sheets.

In an interview, Rivers State Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Bro Felix Obuah said the arrest of the fake printers of rerun elections result sheets has vindicated the body on the plan INEC and APC have to rig the forthcoming rerun elections.

The Rivers IPAC Secretary and Chairman, Accord Party, Sir Precious Baridoo, also condemned the plot to use fake result sheets to rig the rerun elections, warning that both the APC and INEC would be resisted.

Also speaking, Hon. Uchechukwu Ichenwo urged the police to prosecute all INEC and Rivers APC officials involved in the printing of the fake rerun elections result sheets.

In their remarks, both the Chairman, Social Democratic Party, Engr Worlu, and Chairman, Nigeria Peoples Party, Deacon Princewill, said that on no account should the matter be swept under the carpet by the federal authorities.

Also, Rivers Police Command said yesterday that it had arrested three persons for allegedly printing fake ballot papers for the re-run legislative election in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed December 10 to conduct the election in the state.

A DSP and Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Nnamdi Omoni, told newsmen that the suspects were arrested on Saturday at D/Line area of Port Harcourt.

He said personnel of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) made the arrest.

“ I can confirm the arrest of three suspects. The matter is with us and the Commissioner of Police has ordered discreet investigation.

“ I can assure you that it is being given adequate attention and at the end of investigation, we will come out with our position,” he said.

Omoni said that the state CID was currently handling the matter while the command would make its findings known at the end of the investigation.

He urged the people to give police useful information that would assist it fight crime in the state.

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

4 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

4 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

5 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor