News
INEC Set For PHALGA 3 Bye-Election, ’Morrow …As Court Fails To Stop Process
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says modalities have been put in place for the conduct of tomorrow’s bye-election for the replacement of the vacant position in the Port Harcourt Constituency 111 in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers State, Obo Efanga, who addressed newsmen at the INEC office in Port Harcourt, yesterday, disclosed that four political parties have been cleared to participate in the bye-election.
He said the political parties include; Democratic Alternative (DA), Mass Movement of Nigeria (MMN), All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Resident Electoral Commissioner also stated that the smart card reader for the election would capture the number of people accredited to vote, adding that there would be restriction of movement from 8am to 6pm on Election Day.
He also disclosed that sensitive materials for the election were intact and would be distributed later.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner was accompanied by Residents Electoral Commissioners, of Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom, including party agents to take delivery of the sensitive materials, AC8A, AC8B, AC8C and AC8E, including ballots papers, which were all sealed.
He assured that INEC would not rest in its oars in ensuring the conduct of a free, fair and credible bye-election in the state.
Speaking with The Tide in an interview, the agent of Mass Movement of Nigeria (MMN), Gospel Nwigbara, expressed satisfaction with the electoral process so far, adding that his party was prepared for the election.
Also speaking, the agent for All Progressives Party (APC), Mr. Michael Ogolima urged INEC to ensure a hitch-free poll.
Meanwhile, an All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2015 Legislative Election, Mr. Chima Nnokam has failed in his fresh bid to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting any bye-election to fill the vacant position in the state House of Assembly seat for Port Harcourt Constituency 3.
Nnokam had approached of a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt to seek an order of the court to stop tomorrow’s bye-election in the constituency pending the determination of the originating suit in the court.
The plaintiff is also praying the court to order INEC to issue him certificate of return having come second position during the 2015 legislative election in the constituency since INEC failed to conduct the bye-election within 30 days when the seat became vacant as provided for in the Electoral Act (as amended).
According to him, failure to issue him with certificate of return by the INEC after the expiration of the 30 days would amount the disregard of the provisions of the law.
However, the trial judge, Justice H.I.O. Osohmah, in his ruling on the motion bordering on jurisdiction by INEC and Peoples Democratic Party, refused to give any interlocutory injunction stopping INEC from ing the bye-election for PHALGA Constituency 111 Legislative Election, tomorrow.
Justice Osohmah, in his short ruling, told the parties that when an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain and hear a matter is before the court, he was under obligation to first settle the issue of jurisdiction before proceeding to other issues.
He, however, said the court would hear the application referred to it by the Appeal Court on the next adjourned date.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Don Omealo (SAN) expressed happiness with the court position, adding that INEC does not have any legal constrain in conducting Saturday’s Bye-Election in PHALGA 3 State Constituency Election.
According to him, “the court refused the interlocutory injunction as sought by the claimant,” adding that his client was free to go ahead with the election as scheduled.
However, counsel to the plaintiff in the matter, Eugene Odey (Esq) said he was dissatisfy with the decision of the court but, however, said, he would brief his client on the next line of action.
Odey said it was a known fact in law that when an issue bordering on referral from a higher court to a lower one, the law mandates the lower court to, as a matter of urgency, hear the application, adding that the Judge in his wisdom, acted otherwise.
It would be recalled that the plaintiff, Mr. Chima Nnokam had contested the PHALGA 3 Constituency Legislative Election under the platform of the APC and came second after the PDP candidate, Hon. Victor Ihunwo, who had since vacated the seat following his victory and subsequent position as Mayor of Port Harcourt.
APC has, however, fielded another candidate, Mr. Worlu Dickson, who would contest with other three candidates from other political parties as announced by the INEC.
Taneh Beemene & Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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