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Political Parties Reject Polls In Rivers …As Jega Says No Enough Evidence To Cancel Election
INEC collation officer for Rivers State, Prof. John Etu-Efeotor, handing over the results sheet of the presidential election in the state to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, at the National Collation Centre in Abuja, yesterday.
As reactions trail the just- concluded Presidential and National Assembly election in Rivers State, the concerned political parties in Rivers State has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in calling for the cancellation of the elections in the state.
The group, which said this at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, alleged high level irregularities in the conduct of the elections in the state.
The leader of the group, Hon Nsirim Chima of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), also accused the state Resident Electoral Commissioner of colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party to rig the elections.
“We, the undersigned political parties under the auspices of concerned political parties in Rivers State, committed to upholding globally acceptable tenets of democracy unanimously declare that there was no election in the 28th of March 2015.
“Rather, what was purported to be an election was a mockery of democracy, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in concert with the Resident Electoral commissioner (REC) of Rivers State marred the entire process with high momentum of irregularities ad malpractices deliberately orchestrated to rig the election in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“The fact that INEC in Rivers State compromised is incontrovertible as there was virtually no polling unit where votes were cast, counted results announced and pasted as required by the electoral law”.
The group also alleged killings and general intimidation as PDP thugs allegedly aided by security operatives, brazenly orchestrated mayhem on intending voters and members of other political parties.
They also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist all forms of illicit overtures by political parties and politicians to lure it to indulge in activities that would mar the success of the elections.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State rejected the results of the National Assembly elections won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
The rejection is contained in a statement issued by Director of Media, Greater Together Campaign Organisation of the party, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, in Port Harcourt.
It stated that the result was not acceptable to the party, and called for the cancellation of the elections.
“This is not acceptable to us and we reiterate our call for the cancellation of all elections in Rivers State,’’ it stated.
According to the statement, the result is a denial of the people’s right to air their voices.
It stated that APC agent in INEC submitted petitions to the Resident Electoral Commissioner on the conduct of the election but was sent out of the collation centre on March 28.
It would be recalled that the results of Saturday’s National Assembly elections in Rivers had been released with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winning all the seats in both chambers of the assembly.
The Chief Returning Officer for the state, Prof. John Etu-Efeotor, announced the results in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Efeotor, who is the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Petroleum, Effurun, Delta, said that Sen. George Sekibo of the PDP polled 662,278 to win Rivers East Senatorial District.
According to him, Sekibo defeated his All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hon Andrew Uchendu, who scored 52,064 votes.
In Rivers South-East district, Mr Olaka Nwogu of PDP polled 408,353 votes to beat Sen. Magnus Abe of APC, who had 23,052 votes.
The third senatorial seat, Rivers South-West, was picked by PDP’s Mr Osinakachukwu Ideozu, who scored 279,745 as against 24,687 votes polled by Mr Otelemaba Amachree of the APC.
For the House of Representatives seats, Efeotor announced that PDP won in the 13 Federal constituencies in the state, with Betty Apiafi scoring 64,016 votes to defeat APC’s Robinsoh Ewoh, who polled 3,654 votes for Abua/Odual/Ahoada East seat.
Mr Uche Obi won the Ahoada West/Egbema/Ndoni seat with 90,891 votes against 8,967 votes scored by Lucky Odili of APC.
Similarly, Jacobson Nbina polled 141,410 votes to pick Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo constituency ticket as against 9,920 votes scored by Bari Mpigi of APC.
Other winners included Kingsley Chinda, who scored 182,158 votes to win Obio/Akpor constituency ticket, defeating Tony Okocha of APC who got 13,286 votes; Awaji Abiante scored 95,000 votes to win Sampson Egop of APC with 5,366 votes for Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro constituency.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says there is no substantial evidence to cancel result of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in Rivers State.
Chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, made this known at the National Collation Centre of the election in Abuja, yesterday.
The position of the INEC was sequel to the petition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and calls by some political stakeholders in the state for the cancellation of the result.
The petitioners had alleged massive irregularities during the elections.
“Elections all over the world are not perfect and we do not believe that the allegations are substantial enough to cancel the results.
“The commission, however, constituted a three-man committee to investigate the allegations.
“The three-man committee went to the state yesterday (Monday) to investigate the allegation and they returned this morning and were giving us a debriefing this morning which resulted in the delay of today’s process,’’ Jega said.
He, therefore, directed that result of the presidential poll from Rivers State should be announced, and it was done by the Collation Officer for the state, Prof. John Etu-Efeotor, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi