Niger Delta

Delta ACN Rejects Polls Results … Uduaghan Dedicates Victory To God

Published

15 years ago

May 6, 2011

Dissatisfaction has continued to trail the outcome of the April 26 polls held in Delta State as the state chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and other aggrieved political parties are poised for serious legal fireworks at the Election Petition Tribunal.

The ACN House of Representatives candidate for Ika constituency, Dr. Isioma Okobah and its House of Assembly candidate for Ika North East, Hon. Christian Okapambor, have challenged the conduct of the polls, which, they say, was characterised by gross irregularities.

Okapambor, who briefed journalists in Asaba on Monday, said the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that election was free, fair and credible in Nigeria was truncated in Delta State.

According to him, the House of Assembly election held in the council area on Tuesday, April 26, was characterised with “monumental fraud, political irregularities, intimidations, snatching of ballot papers and boxes and beating up of opposition agents”.

He said, “in view of the issues raised, we hereby as a political party and candidates reject the results in its entirety”.

He decried what he called the lukewarm attitude of INEC to all the distress calls and petitions forwarded to it while the fraud were being perpetrated, saying, “despite that, all our complaints of fraud during the election were turned down by the electoral officers deployed to the area” thus urged the party’s supporters to remain calm “as we prepare to contest the election at the tribunal”.

While saying the results of the election that declared Prince Obi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner was fraudulent and do not reflect the wishes of Ika North East Local Government people, he said “the victory was bought for him to compensate him for delivering the Governor (Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan) in the rerun.”

The Ika North East House of Assembly constituency seat is currently being occupied by the incumbent Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Prince Sam Obi, who acted as the Governor of the state during the 90 days court ordered rerun.

Despite the protest that has greeted the outcome of the polls, Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has dedicated his victory as winner of the election to God, and promised to reach out to chieftains of opposition parties in the state and reconcile with them “so that together we can move the state forward”.

Dr. Uduaghan, who announced this, Sunday, at the World of Life Bible Church, Warrri, during a thanksgiving service to mark his election victory. He said he will make personal contact and reconcile with those who contested against him, and those within the PDP who worked against him.

“I am going to make personal effort to reach out to those in the opposition and those within the PDP who did not support me during the election. I will personally reach them so that together we will build a virile state”.

The Governor appealed to Deltans to forgive him if in the process of governance he erred and offended them.

Expressing regret that there was so much hatred in the state, Dr. Uduaghan said “Please forgive me and not be angry with me.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

23 hours 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

23 hours 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

23 hours 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.