News
‘Why INEC Suspended Polls In Rivers, Others’
L-R: Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello, Environment, Amina Mohammed and Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, at a reception dinner organised by Association of Consulting Engineers in Nigeria (ACEN) for its President, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, on his appointment as the Minister of Water Resources in Abuja on Friday
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the suspension of the outstanding 2015 elections in some five states of the federation till there is guarantee of peace in the affected states.
The states include Kano, Bayelsa, Kogi, Anambra and Rivers.
The commission, in March shortly after the rerun legislative elections in Rivers State, alerted that it would no longer conduct elections in violence-prone states and areas.
A statement at the weekend, signed by its Secretary, Mrs Augusta C. Ogakwu, and made available to The Tide, indicated that the commission would only conduct further elections in those states if it gets a “firm and unequivocal” commitment to violence-free polls by political parties and relevant stakeholders.
The statement said INEC took the decision pursuant to its powers under Section 26 of the Electoral Amendment Act, 2015, and after consultation with the security agencies.
It said, “INEC needs assurance by the security agencies that it is safe to return through the guarantee of peace, order and safety of all election officials, voters, other stakeholders, materials, polling units and facilities to be used for the elections by the security agencies.”
The statement said that the decision followed disruptions of court ordered rerun elections arising out of petitions challenging the conduct of elections in 2015 into various legislative seats in the states.
It stated that INEC had met to consider the options open to it to resolve the impasse in the states.
It stated that the inability of INEC to conclude the elections arose out of violent resistance to the commencement of the polls in Imo North Senatorial district and three state constituencies in the state.
“There was the disruption of polls after commencement (as in Kogi East Senatorial Idah State Constituency), and all senatorial and some House of Representatives and state House of Assembly elections in Rivers State
It added that INEC would enlist the intervention of relevant governmental agencies as well as civil society organisations, religious bodies and traditional institutions, among others.
The efforts are aimed at securing a conducive atmosphere for the peaceful conduct of the elections, the statement added.
Last week, a renowned public affair analyst, Mr. Martins Ikhilea, had raised an alarm that Rivers State may not have representatives in the upper chambers of the National Assembly till after 2019 general elections.
It would be recalled that the Appeal tribunal had last December nullified all three senatorial elections held last year and ordered for a rerun in the state, but unfortunately, some of the rerun elections were cancelled following violence that characterized the process.
Twelve out of 13 seats in the House of Representatives were also nullified while the three Senatorial seats were ordered for a rerun on March 19, 2016. Twenty two state House of Assembly seats were also ordered for rerun.
The March 19 exercise resulted in the presentation of certificates of return to only 12 state House of Assembly and three House of Representatives winners.
With INEC decision, 10 state House of Assembly seats, nine House of Representatives and three Senatorial seats are now pending.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
