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RSIEC Commends Amaechi’s Non-Interference In Polls
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has been commended for not interfering in the just concluded local government elections in the State.
Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Prof. Nimi Briggs made the remarks, yesterday while presenting the end of tenure report of the commission to the Governor in Government House, Port Harcourt.
According to him, “We want to thank you for allowing us do this work without you in any way interfering with what we were doing. There was never a day you rang me up as chairman of the commission to decide for me.”
“You did not starve my commission of funds, you funded us very well and we were able to do our best,” he said.
Prof Briggs also described RSIEC as the benchmark for all electoral bodies, recalling that despite the short period he was appointed in 2007 with the task of conducting credible elections, the Commission was able to carry out her duties successfully, but regretted that the commission could not come up with a report immediately due to series of litigations.
According to him, “When we came in 2007, it was late, so, we started preparing for the first round of elections which we started in 2008 and when we finished those elections, there were series of litigations, we couldn’t compile the first report, the first report became ready in 2010 which was titled “ Making the Votes Count”, as I speak to you now, there is no election outstanding in 2011, this commission has conducted all elections, released all results and signed the certificates of return to all those that won,” he said.
Responding, Governor Amaechi thanked members of the commission for being bold in discharging their duties without interference and assured them of his administration’s support.
Amaechi said, “I promise to fund you but I also believe that the law should be made for RSIEC to be independent. That is the best way to stop the chairman coming to ask the governor for money. I was worried about your reputation, I was worried that if the electoral process wasn’t properly handled, your reputation would be marred and virtually every member of the commission would have their reputation marred too. But I’m happy that you ended your first tenure in such a way we would leave here feeling very happy”, he said.
Amaechi explained that governance was a collective responsibility, stressing that human capital development was key to state and national development.
“We are competing in the comity of states, if we continue to make mistakes, we may likely be the 36th State and the only way we can move forward is to bring the best of our materials to man the necessary institutions that we have, we can’t afford to throw away that opportunity,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.