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Wike Tasks Media On Rule Of Law

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Activities in Government House, last week, began in a sad note following the revelation by the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, that there is a plot by the Federal Government and her agents to frame him up.
Wike who raised this frightening alarm last Monday, alleged that Federal Government plans to plant illegal items on him in any of his trips outside the shores of Nigerian and have him embarrassed by foreign security agents.
” They plan to organise security to storm the hotel I am staying and say they found XYZ cash in my possession after which they would say I was arrested for currency trafficking or whatever offences outside the country”, he said.
Wike explained that the plan is similar to what was done to Late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
The Governor said that though he is not scared by the plot but wished to alert the nation and the world of the sinister machinations of the federal government.
Last Tuesday, Wike inaugurated the Rivers State Honours Advisory Committee. The committee is to nominate deserving men and women who have, through their contributions, made the state proud.
Chief Ferdy Anabraba is Chairman of the committee while Sir Chidi Adele is the Secretary.
Other members of the committee are Chief Onueze Okocha, Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Ordu, Dr Abiye Sekibo , Dr Peter Medee, and Dr Ikechi Nwogu.
The Governor charged the committee to consider men and women, indigenes and non indigenes who have contributed immensely to the development of the state in various professions.
He noted that the award would be an annual event, stressing that the gesture would encourage people to project the state in enviable light through their talents.
The committee chairman thanked the Governor for the confidence reposed in members and assured him that they would put in their best to deliver good result.
Another major event in Brick House was the visit last Tuesday by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
He regretted a situation where Nigeria answers Big Brother Africa but unable to uphold the rule of law, conduct credible election and institute basic governance process.
He emphasised that every profession has the responsibility to play a role in the development of the country.
The President of the body, Alhaji Muhammadu Zakari commended the Governor for rolling out projects that have stimulated the economy of the state.
He said ICAN is desirous of partnering the state on issues that concern the organisation’s core values and urged the Governor to promote ICAN’s Accountability Index among political leaders in the country
Wike also met with the United State Consul- General in Nigeria, Mr F John Bvay, in Government House, Port Harcourt last Tuesday.
He called on America to partner with Rivers State Government to develop the agric sector and pointed out that such initiative would enhance employment opportunities.
He said Rivers State Government has developed flexible land allocation scheme to agriculture investors.
The Governor also addressed the 2018 Annual Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) section on Legal Practice Conference in PortHarcourt.
He charged legal practitioners in the country to rise up and insist on the relevance of the amended Electoral Act 2010.
Similarly, the Governor called on media practitioners to rise up and defend Nigerians who are suffering untold hardship under the failed APC -led Federal Government.
He made the call when the management of the International Press Institute paid him courtesy visit in Government House.
He regretted that the media was focusing on the rich and abandoning the poor, adding that they should insist on the rule of law.
At a Solidarity Rally organised last Saturday by Rivers South East Senatorial District in Bori, Wike was endorsed for a second term in office because of the numerous developmental projects in the area and appointments to sons and daughters of the district.

 

Chris Oluoh

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FCT COUNCILS’ ELECTIONS: PDP WINS GWAGWALADA CHAIRMANSHIP AS APC SECURES AMAC, BWARI

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Alhaji Mohammed Kasim, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has won the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Philip Akpeni, the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced the results on Sunday morning.

Alhaji Kasim polled 22,165 votes to defeat Alhaji Yahaya Shehu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 17,788 votes.

Alhaji Biko Umar of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) scored 1, 687 to come in third place.

“I am the returning officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Gwagwalada chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026,” Akpeni said.

“That Mohammed Kasim of PDP, having certified the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”

In the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, the APC candidate, was declared the winner of the chairmanship poll with 40,295 votes.

Andrew Abue, the Collation Officer for AMAC, said Hon. Maikalangu, who is the incumbent AMAC chairman, was returned elected having scored the highest number of votes cast.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) came second with 12,109 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 3,398 votes.

According to Abue, the total number of valid votes in the chairmanship poll was 62,861, while the total votes cast stood at 65,197.

He added that the number of registered voters in AMAC was 837,338, while the total number of accredited voters was 65,676.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mr. Joshua Ishaku of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Bwari Area Council Chairmanship election.

Announcing the result on Sunday in Bwari, the Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Mohammed Nurudeen, stated that Ishaku polled a total of 18,466 votes to emerge victorious in the February 21, 2026 poll.

I am the Returning Officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Bwari chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026. That Joshua Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” Nurudeen said.

According to the results declared, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured 4,254 votes, while the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) polled 3,515 votes to place second and third respectively.

The declaration adds to the series of results emerging from the 2026 FCT Area Council elections, as political parties assess their performance ahead of future contests.

INEC UPLOADS 2,602 OF 2,822 FCT CHAIRMANSHIP RESULTS ON IReV

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had uploaded 2,602 out of the 2,822 expected polling unit results from Saturday’s chairmanship elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as at 5:55am on Sunday, data retrieved from its Result Viewing Portal (IReV) showed.

According to The Tide source, the figure represents an overall upload rate of about 92.2 per cent across the six area councils of the territory.

A council-by-council breakdown indicates that Municipal Area Council recorded the highest number of submissions in absolute terms, with 1,309 of 1,401 polling unit results uploaded, representing 93.43 per cent.

In Gwagwalada Area Council, 330 of the expected 338 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 97.63 per cent — the highest upload rate among the six councils.

In Bwari Area Council, INEC uploaded 463 of 485 polling unit results, translating to 95.46 per cent.

In Abaji Area Council, 129 of 135 polling unit results had been uploaded as at 5:55am, representing 95.56 per cent.

In Kwali Area Council, 164 of the expected 201 polling unit results were available on the portal, representing 81.59 per cent.

In Kuje Area Council,  207 of 262 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 79.01 per cent — the lowest rate among the six councils as at the time of review.

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Group Hails Tinubu’s Swift Assent To 2026 Electoral Bill 

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The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has applauded President Bola Tinubu for signing the 2026 Electoral Bill into law within 24 hours of its passage by the National Assembly.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group described the swift assent as a clear demonstration of political will to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We see the decision by President Bola Tinubu to sign the reworked 2022 Electoral Act into law within a few hours of its passage as a demonstration of political will to ensure an improved electoral process which the new law envisages,” the group said.

The TMSG expressed confidence that the development would enable the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to quickly align its operations with the new provisions in preparation for the 2027 polls.

The group noted that the provision for electronic transmission of results had been contentious but described its codification in the law as a significant step forward.

“So, for the first time, the country’s electoral law would be recognising the use of the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the result viewing portal, IREV, which were just INEC guidelines in 2023,” it stated.

According to the TMSG, although the Act provides for electronic transmission of results from polling units to the IREV portal, it also makes room for manual transmission of Form EC8A result sheets as a backup in the event of technological failure.

“Unlike some Nigerians, we do not see anything wrong with the fallback plan but we agree with the President that no matter how beautiful a process is with improved technology, the onus lies on the people manning it to show good faith and ensure that the votes of the people really count at the end of the day,” the statement added.

The group highlighted other key provisions in the amended law, including the streamlining of party primaries to either consensus or direct primaries, early release of funds to INEC, reinforced measures against over-voting, and stiffer sanctions for electoral offences such as falsification of results.

It also pointed out that the mandatory notice period for elections has been reduced from 360 days to 300 days, giving INEC more flexibility in adjusting the timetable for the 2027 elections, especially where it may clash with Ramadan.

The TMSG further observed that the President’s decision to sign the bill days before the forthcoming Area Council Election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) underscores his desire for the law to take immediate effect.

“And by signing the amendment bill a few days before the Area Council Election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it is obvious that the President is keen on ensuring that the 2026 Electoral Act takes immediate effect.

“Nigerians would also have an opportunity to see some of the key provisions of the new electoral law become operational, especially the electronic transmission of results,” it said.

The group expressed optimism that the current INEC leadership would leverage the new legal framework to deliver a more credible and widely acceptable electioneering process than in previous electoral cycles.

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ANDONI WOMEN CELEBRATE FUBARA SUPPORT STIMULUS

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Women under the umbrella of Rivers Women Unite for SIM (RWUS) in Andoni Local Government Area have celebrated the receipt of the Rivers Rural Women Support Stimulus (RRWSS) approved by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The women, who gathered in large numbers, expressed joy and gratitude, describing the stimulus as timely and impactful in supporting their small businesses and improving their families’ welfare.
They noted that the support has rekindled hope among rural women and strengthened their confidence in the present administration.
Speaking during the celebration, Coordinator of the group in the LGA, Dr Alom Anyanya, thanked Governor Fubara for his commitment to the wellbeing of Rivers women, assuring that the beneficiaries would make good use of the gesture to grow their trades and contribute meaningfully to the local economy.
The women also offered special prayers for the Governor, the peace of Rivers State, and the unity and progress of Nigeria, while reaffirming their continued support for programmes that uplift women at the grassroots.
The event featured songs, dancing, and thanksgiving, as the women described the stimulus as a clear demonstration of inclusive governance and a new chapter of hope for Rivers women.
By: John Bibor
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