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Release Rerun Results …850 Rivers Groups Tell INEC …Threaten Court Action

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Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State (middle), with UN Assistant Secretary General,  Mr Toby Lanzer (left),  during a visit to assess the humanitarian crisis in Bama, Borno State   on Wednesday

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State (middle), with UN Assistant Secretary General, Mr Toby Lanzer (left), during a visit to assess the humanitarian crisis in Bama, Borno State on Wednesday

Barely 20 days after the rerun state and National Assembly elections in Rivers State, the Coalition of Concerned Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) for the NEW Rivers Vision, comprising more than 850 bodies, has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately release the remaining results covering all the local governments in which elections were conducted successfully on March 19.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency state working committee meeting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, and signed by the President, Comrade Christian Obi, and Secretary, John-Paul Uzor, the coalition said INEC had no justifiable reason to withhold the results of elections that had been concluded.
The coalition, which claimed to have monitored the elections in all the units and wards where INEC conducted the rerun elections, emphasized that the process was credible, free and fair, “except for a few nipping points in Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme local government areas”, stressing that “the process in virtually all the local governments where the elections were suspended was purely logistical hitches arising from the commission’s weak preparations”.
It listed Bonny and Andoni as clear cases where the commission failed to meet its set timeline for the delivery of electoral materials and the expectations of the people, as well as Etche, where INEC abdicated its responsibility to deliver election materials to the designated units for the proper conduct of elections, while blaming the commission for failing to enlist adequate security protection for electoral materials in most areas.
The coalition noted that the purported violence which ‘marred’ the rerun elections in some parts of the state was triggered by the commission’s unwillingness to allow the electorate exercise their franchise freely, saying that if adequate preparations had been made, election material would have reached all polling units as early as 8am and elections concluded by 2pm as promised by INEC.
According to the coalition, “INEC has no justification to withhold results of an election it deliberately bungled”, adding that what the commission was doing amounted to “an attempt to thwart the will of the people who voted massively for the candidates of their choice on March 19”.
While congratulating all those who have already been declared winners in their various constituencies, the coalition urged the losers to accept defeat as good sportsmen and women, and join forces with the government to move the state forward.
The coalition also threatened to challenge INEC’s decision not to release the remaining results in a court of competent jurisdiction to restore the rights of the candidates to be voted for by the electorate, pointing out that the commission had already violated the provisions of the Electoral Act as Amended.
It stated that the inability of INEC to declare the remaining results and hand over certificate of return to winners was adversely affecting the democratic transition process and the delivery of dividends of good governance to Rivers people and other residents of the state.
The concerned coalition for the NEW Rivers Vision also charged the electorate in Rivers State not to despair and lose confidence in the democratic process, even as they prepare to vote again for the candidates of their choice and reaffirm their support for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) at the yet-to-be-rescheduled rerun elections in the suspended eight local government areas of Akuku-Toru, Andoni, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Gokana, Khana, and Tai, to ensure the peace, stability and sustainable development of the state.
Similarly, the Degema Local Government chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has given a 72-hour ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare winner of the Degema Constituency rerun election of March 19th, 2016 or face legal action.
Coordinator of the NYCN, Godspower Ipalibo Madodoye, stated this at a press conference in Port Harcourt.
The youth leader stressed that the Electoral Act empowers INEC to conduct election and declare winners of such elections, while those who disagree with INEC should go to the tribunal or court to seek legal redress.
He said that the refusal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Aniedi Ikoiwak, to declare the winner of the rerun elections was unacceptable to the youth of the area, stressing that the situation was capable of causing crisis in the area.

 

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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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.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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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

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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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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