News
APC Sweeps Rivers LG Polls …RSIEC Issues Certificates Of Return, Today
The All Progressive Congress (APC) has won all the Chairmanship seats in last Saturday Local Government Election in Rivers State even as the Peoples Democratic Party boycotted the election.
Announcing the results of the last Saturday election last night, the Chairman/Chief Electoral Commissioner Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Prof.Augustine I. Ahiazu said in the councillorship elections, APC won 297 wards out of 312 wards in the state.
Prof Ahiazu noted that African Democratic Congress(ADC) won Ward 3 in Ahoada West, while Social Democratic Party (SDP) won in ward 6 in Ahoad East Local Government Areas while the election in Ward 6 in Etche was inclusive.
He commended the people of Rivers State for turning out enmass to exercise their civic rights to elect their grassroots leaders, adding that the commission was happy with the free and fair conduct of the elections that did not record violence throughout the exercise in the state.
According to him, the election was held without violence and hitches. There were no reports of violence or snatching of ballot boxes in all the local government Areas where elections held’’,
‘’I am happy things went well. My ad hoc staff did not report any incident of violence. The Chairmanship elections were won by APC in all the Local Government Areas where elections held. Ogba/Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area is the only council in which election was not held because its tenure has not expired’’, he said.
Ahiazu commended the security agencies for ensuring and maintaining adequate security throughout the elections, adding that the state could now move on since all the elections have been held.
In Port Harcourt, the APC won with,23,456 votes,Bonny 12,670, Ahoada East,17,994, while in Abua/Odual local Government, APC won with 41,070.
Akuku-Toru APC won with,48,184, Bonny 51,620,Degema 12,605, Andoni 31,362, Ahoada West,23,580, Eleme 330535, Tai,23,914, Ikwerre18,686, Asari-Toru 24,012,Oyigbo,10,720,Obio/Akpor 149,240, Emohua,62,275, Opobo/Nkoro 13,864,Ogu/Bolo 6,793.
Others Includes Khana,83,690, Gokana 33,577.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor was absent on Saturday as the Local Government election held in the 22 out of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state, while the Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr.Adol Dakuku Peterside voted in Opobo, his home town.
Journalists who expected that the Governor would lead other party members to cast his vote for his party were disappointed when it turned out that the Governor was not in the state and could not participate in the election, although heavy down pour in the early hours of Saturday delayed the commencement the election as scheduled.
The officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, (RSIEC) could not arrive at most of the polling units in the Port Harcourt Local Government Area on time due to the rain. As at 10:30 am no election materials at Rumuwoji, Oro-Abali wards 11,12 and 13 of Port Harcourt.
It was the same at ward 8 in Rumukalagbo; Oroji, wards 3 and 2 in Ogbu-nu-abali Civil Centre; ward 19 in Elekahia as well as ward 4 in Port Harcourt Township.
Most of the voters that turned out as early at 9.am returned home because of the heavy rains that delayed the arrival RSIEC officials. Party agents and security officers who arrived at some polling units had to wait for the arrival of RISIEC officials and the electoral materials.
Our correspondent reports that Igwurrita, Ward 12, Unit 10, in Ikwerre Local Government Area most of the voters returned home due to the absence of electoral officials and voting materials.
Accreditation commenced at Eneka Ward 14, Units 9 and 10 in Obio/Akpor Local Government, at 2.pm, while at Opobo, in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area accreditation started at 12.30pm and voting started at about 2.pm.
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the April 11, election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, was accredited at Ward 3, Unit 6.and voted at about 3.45pm.
Peterside while speaking to journalists shortly after casting his vote expressed satisfaction over the turnout in his area despite the down pour.
According to him, “the people came out to vote because for once the people had a chance to vote for a candidate of their choice and they are optimistic that their votes will count despite the rains.
“The turnout in Opobo/Nkoro was good and voting is proceeding gradually. From the reports that I am getting from other local governments, voting is going on smoothly,” he said.
Our Reporter, who monitored the process, said materials arrived early at Bonny Local Government Area and elections were concluded at about 3.pm in Wards 2, 3 and 4 while in Eleme, local government area, Ward 4, Unit 2, voters complained that there were no electoral officials and materials.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has invited all the chairmen-elect in the 22 LGAs where election were conducted last Saturday for the presentation of certificate of return to them today.
The acting director, Media and Publicity, Mr Reward Akwu quoted the Commissioner in charge of Media and Public Affairs, Hon Ibiso Dakoru as saying that the ceremony would hold by 12 noon at the RSIEC head office on Aba Road, opposite Bori Camp in Port Harcourt.
It advised the affected officials to be seated 30 minutes before commencement of the ceremony.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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