News

Rivers Guber Polls:Dismiss APC’s Application, INEC Urges Tribunal

Published

10 years ago

August 28, 2015

Surveyor- General, Rivers State, Mr Noel Elenwo (left), explaining the Port Harcourt masterplan to former Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Mr Chris Ezike, during the working visit of Nigeria Institution of Surveyors, Rivers State branch to the State Police command in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. With them is Mr. Hebron Wisdom
Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the governorship Election Petition Tribunal for Rivers State to dismiss the application of the All Progressive Congress for forensic analysis of materials used for the governorship elections in the state.
Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the 1st respondent, Mr Ken Njemanze, (SAN) who urged the tribunal to dismiss the application at the resumed sitting of the three-member tribunal at the Apo High Court complex, Abuja, said that the petitioner ought to have affected the issue of scanning and cropping when he told the tribunal in his earlier motion about the issue of inspection of materials.
According to Njemanze, there is an 11-paragraph affidavit before the tribunal to support the prayers of his client.
“The second prayer on the motion paper of the petitioner particularly on scanning and cropping of the ballot papers is alia to the Electoral Act.
“Section 151 of the act permitted only inspection and nothing more, therefore, the prayer of the petitioners is not in line with the makers of the act, so the tribunal should dismiss it, he said.
The Counsel to Wike, Mr Emmanuel Ukala also urged the tribunal to dismiss the application by the petitioners.
He said that his client had already filed a 14-paragraph on Aug. 22 to support the prayer and urged the tribunal to abide with its ruling of June 11 on only inspection and not scanning and cropping.
“The ruling of Aug. 19 has closed the issue of inspection, no matter how it was carved in another language, especially the language by the petitioners on the ‘whole wall of defense’.
“The tribunal cannot make another order on inspection.
‘’The issue of scanning and cropping of the materials is new words from the petitioners after it had already move a motion on earlier date similar to this.
“The tribunal cannot go beyond its order of June 11 on inspection of materials, more so, the issue of scanning and cropping arising outside the order of June 11 is now a subject matter in the Court of Appeal.
“All the parties in this matter were as before the Appeal court on Monday Aug. 24.
‘’The court has adjourned to hear the matter on Aug. 31, therefore, the tribunal should leave the parties to resolve the issue at the Appellate court, ’’ Ukala said.
According to Ukala, scanning and cropping of the materials will mean allowing private individuals to have access to such document and that it will pose danger and security to trivialise the issue.
Ukala stressed that scanning and cropping the materials could pose a danger in which the individuals would identify the pattern of voting and the party they voted for.
He also told the tribunal that such an idea was contrary to the principle of democracy which guaranty confidentiality of electoral process.
“The application by the petitioners is contrary to Section 77 of the electoral act, it is inappropriate and does not aid the petitioners application.
“Section 77 of the electoral act does not talk of scanning and cropping, no provision of the electoral act provides for that therefore the application should be struck out.’’
Also, Counsel to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chris Uche, (SAN) urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitioners’ application, adding that the party had filed a 12-paragraph affidavit to support the prayer.
He said that the present application for scanning and cropping by the petitioners after the order June 11 was a complete gross abuse of the process of the tribunal.
According to Uche, Section 151 of the Electoral Act emphasises three times on inspection and not otherwise.
He also maintained that Section 77 was not available to the petitioner and that it only imposes duty on election for public office before a tribunal or court could be sought.
According to Uche, before tribunal or court can come in reference to Section 77, there must be an indication that such public officer could not perform the statutory duty express in the section.
He said that the application by the petitioners for scanning and cropping of election materials was bereaved.
Justice Muazu Pindiga, the Chairman tribunal adjourned on Aug. 28 to further rule on the application and to conduct question and answer for all the parties in the petition.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) has urged the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for Rivers to grants its application for forensic analysis of materials used for the governorship elections in the state.
Earlier, the party and its candidate in the April 11 elections, Dr Dakuku Peterside, had sought the nullification of the election of Governor Nyesom Wike on grounds of alleged irregularities and fraudulent practices associated with the elections.
Moving the motion, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi (SAN), Counsel to APC said that the petitioners sought forensic analysis of the document to proof allegations of falsification and allotment of votes for Wike.
He argued that the earlier order of the tribunal granting his client to inspect the election materials on June 11 would not suffice in proving the case.
Olujinmi alleged that the integrity of the inspected materials had been downgraded and therefore required a forensic analysis to ascertain their authenticity.
He also cited the provision of Section 77 of the Electoral Act as mandating the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to give out the documents relating to the election at any point of demand.
“There is a whole wall of defense with the ruling on June 11, and the application we filed now is different.
‘’What we are seeking for now is to see the ballot papers of the election in question.’’

News

Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD

Published

19 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has sued for patience on the ongoing installation of the state’s new independent power project.

The Tide gathered that the 60-megawatt gas turbine project, which installation commenced in October this year, was earlier scheduled to be completed by December but suffered logistics related delays.

The governor called on people of the state to have an open mind about the project, which he said now requires a new completion date due to unforeseen challenges.

?The Tide further reports that the State’s Chief Executive who undertook an on-the-spot-assessment of the project at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area on Wednesday, said like other citizens of the state, he was also disappointed that the December completion deadline could not be met.

However, he stated that his reaction to the delay had been that of understanding rather than being angry as had been noticed, particularly on the social media.

?”You can see I’ve gone round the whole facility. It was based on the working agreement and information available at my disposal that I gave the December date. But as it is with every human endeavor, we must all have an open mind, when it comes to issues, particularly technical matters like this.

?”I am as disappointed as any other Bayelsan because I believed that we were going to celebrate the 2025 Christmas with our own independent power, but it turned out not to be so.

?”I call on Bayelsans to have an open mind. These technical experts are working virtually 24 hours, but delays like this will certainly come”, he said.

He implored the people 9f the state to appreciate the work of the engineers, stressing that a minor mistake was capable of jeopardising the millions of dollars expended on the project.

?”For 29 years Bayelsa has been in darkness or has endured epileptic power supply. Now that we are getting close to the day of liberation, some people have become impatient.

“Let us not behave like the proverbial tortoise in the prison for years that asked to be released immediately as the place was smelling the moment he knew it would regain freedom the next day”, the governor added.

?The Bayelss Governor gave a thumps up to the technical partners, Jampur Group, and its team on ground as well as the Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, saying they were working round the clock to ensure the job was completed.

?”Those who have been following me on this inspection would know that work has not stopped even for one day since it started. I am sure the job is more than 90 per cent complete. So let us hold our fire.

“Engineer Olice, I am not putting you under any pressure. From the reports I have, Olice is one of the best electrical engineers in Nigeria”, governor Diri said.

The governor, however, hinted that the government was looking at inaugurating the project during its sixth anniversary in February.

The MD of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Kemenanabo, who also spoke, said the state was on the right track towards actualising the project and assured that the alignment of the entire system, including the gas generator and alternator were on course.

He also stated that the remaining two turbines would be delivered to the project site in a few days.

?Speaking on behalf of the Jampur Group, Mr. Sherrif Abu-Anif said the company was in good position to meet its own end of the bargain and appreciated the state government for playing its part very well.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

News

Akpabio Withdraws All Defamation Suits After Priest’s Sermon

Published

19 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.

Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.

He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.

“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”

In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.

In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.

Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.

Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.

The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.

With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.

News

‘Best Way To Show Gratitude Is To Deliver Tinubu in 2027’

Published

19 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.

Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.

“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”

Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.

He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.

“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.

Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.

In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.

She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.

Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.

“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.

In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.

He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.

The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.

Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.

Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.

Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.

By: Taneh Beemene