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Rivers Guber Polls: PDP Urges Tribunal To Dismiss APC’s Petition

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10 years ago

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The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, to dismiss the petition filed by Dr. Dakuku Peterside for lack of merit.
Mr Wole Olanipekun, (SAN), one of the counsels to the PDP, who adopted the party’’s final written address before the tribunal made the call while giving his address yesterday.
Our correspondent recalled that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had approached the Justice Suleiman Ambursa led three-man panel to nullify the election of Gov. Nyesom Wike.
The petitioners are seeking the nullification of the April 11 election on the ground that the election was marred by irregularities and fraudulent practices.
The petitioners are also arguing that the election as conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not done in line with the electoral laws.
According to Olanipekun, the petition lacked merit and substance and the petitioner has failed to prove the several unfounded allegations against the conduct of the election.
He pointed out that the petitioners had alleged several cases of violence and abduction of voters, which they failed to lead in the direction or call enough witness to prove their claims.
According to Olanipekun, the petition is incompetent and that the tribunal has no jurisdiction to amend the petition for the petitioners, especially on the outlandish reliefs it sought.
In his address, Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition filed by the petitioners.
According to Ikpeazu, the burden of proof rests with the petitioners who failed to discharge same before the tribunal.
Ikpeazu said that the few witnesses called by the petitioners like the soldiers, mobile policemen and DSS operatives were not voters who could give actual account of what happened  polling unit by polling unit.
Also, Counsel to Wike, Mr Emmanuel Ukala, (SAN) told the tribunal during his address that Dakuku was not qualified to contest the April 11 election.
According to Ukala, Dakuku’s nomination contradicted the provision of Section 85 (1) of the Electoral Act which is critical to the nomination of a candidate vying for election.
Ukala said that the nomination of Dakuku was not in line with the 21 days mandatory notification of the electoral act to notify INEC of its candidate before the election.
According to Ukala, the APC candidate fall short of the time hence his nomination is illegal.
He said that the failure of the petitioners to call proper witnesses who conducted the election was fatal to the case and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition for justice sake.
Ukala noted that out of the 5,792 forms available for the conduct of election, the APC and its candidate only tendered about 3000 which was contrary to the provision of the law.
In his submission, Counsel to the APC and its candidate, Mr Akinlolu Olujimi (SAN) urged the tribunal to grant his petition, stressing that the burden of proof also rests with the respondents.
He said that though the card readers did not replace the voters’ registers but they were vital to credible accreditation.
Olujimi urged the tribunal not to consider the issues raised by the respondents that the election was free and fair.

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.
This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”
She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.
As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.
A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.
The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.
By John Bibor
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Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.
On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.
Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.
It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.
The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.
Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.
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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.
The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.
The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.
It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.
The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.
Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.
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