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Rivers Polls: INEC Awaiting Police Panel Report
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is yet to receive the official report of the Police Investigative Panel on the December 10, 2016 Rivers parliamentary re-run elections.
The commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja in an interview with newsmen.
The panel’s report submitted to Police authorities on February7, indicted 23 Electoral Officers, for allegedly collecting monetary inducements to rig the elections.
Out of over N360 million said to have been received by the INEC personnel, the panel publicly displayed N111 million which it recovered from the officials who participated in the polls.
The panel had added that three senior electoral officers collected N20 million each out of the N360 million believed to have been used by the Rivers Government to influence the officials, who conducted the elections.
Osaze-Uzzi also said that he was not aware that the indicted officials had been handed over to INEC for internal disciplinary measures in line with Public Service rules. “The commission is yet to receive any report of the police investigative panel on the alleged indicted officers.
“The commission, like every other Nigerian, only read the outcome of the investigation in the news. “What we read was that the officers were going to be handed over to the Attorney-General of the Federation for prosecution.
“I am not aware that the alleged indicted officers have been handed over to INEC either at our Rivers office or headquarters in Abuja for disciplinary actions,’’ he said.
The director, however, reiterated the commission’s commitment to investigating and punishing any of its staff accused or found guilty of receiving gratification or other misconducts to compromise the electoral system.
He said that any INEC official whose strong cases of misconduct had been established would be sanctioned and made as deterrent to others who would want to compromise the process.
“We have different levels of administrative punishments in accordance with the rules establishing the commission for erring officers. “Staff could be dismissed, suspended from service or handed over to security agencies for prosecution, depending on the gravity of the offence committed.
“We have been doing it and we are not going to stop because INEC is committed to organising free, fair and credible elections at all times,’’ he said.
The director, therefore, called on relevant government agencies, including security and anti-graft organisations, to beam searchlight on people offering gratifications to electoral officers to subvert electoral processes.
He said that such measures would go a long way to strengthen the electoral process and the country’s democracy. “Our take on it is always that if there is no giver, there cannot be a taker; we believe that while we should deal seriously with those who received gratification, the givers should not be left out.
“Our searchlight should not only be on those who take, it should also be on those who give. “So, we must ensure that the searchlight is also beam on those who give, and deal with them in accordance with the law.
“We believe that if this is done it will help to address those who think that they can use their resources to subvert the electoral process and the course of justice,’’ Osaze-Uzzi said.
He said that though it was difficult to avoid contact between INEC staff and politicians, measures were in place to ensure that electoral officers did not collect gratifications for doing their jobs.
“It is a difficult thing because we deal with politicians, political parties, aspirants and candidates.
Whichever way, there must be a level of interaction in course of duties between politicians and the electoral officers. “However, we have a very strict code of conduct on proper behaviour about what you can do and what we cannot do while on duty.
“We are doing our best to ensure that our staff members are protected but on their own, they must stop from receiving audience from politicians.’’
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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