Niger Delta
Delta ACN Rejects Polls Results … Uduaghan Dedicates Victory To God
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
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.