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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

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor