Featured
Tai Rerun: Stakeholders Slam INEC …Banigo Seeks NASS Intervention
Reactions from stakeholders in Rivers State have continued to trail the Tuesday’s remarks by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, that results of the March 19 rerun elections in Tai Local Government Area remain valid.
The Tide reports that the Chairman, Rivers State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Obuah, and the Publicity Secretary, Samuel Nwanosike, had immediately after the remarks, criticised what they described as INEC’s relentless attempts to disrupt the peace and stability of the state through the release of March 19 rerun election results for Tai Local Government Area.
In a swift reaction, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organization in Tai Local Government Area, kicked against INEC’s insistence that results of the March 19 rerun elections in Rivers State remain valid.
The Director General of We Must Win Campaign, Gideon Deemor, in a chat with newsmen, challenged INEC to show proof of when it lifted the suspension of the election following alleged violence and irregularities that marred the election.
Deemor said the people of Tai will not accept attempts by INEC to allocate votes to the APC illegally.
He reminded INEC that there was a subsisting court order restraining the commission from announcing the result of Tai in the March 19 rerun elections.
Also reacting, the immediate past Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Tai Local Government Area, Perkins Kelo, called on the people of Tai to remain peaceful and law- abiding despite statements by INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Aniedi Ikoiwak, confirming the validation of election in the area.
Kelo reminded Ikoiwak that the issue bordering on the Tai election was before a court of competent jurisdiction.
He said the people of Tai must be allowed to exercise their franchise.
It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted that the results of Tai in the March 19 rerun elections remain valid.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, told newsmen in his office in Port Harcourt, that the law does not allow the commission to cancel any election that had been done at the polling units.
Ikoiwak, however, admitted that INEC in Rivers State initially suspended the election in Tai but said the ratification of the Tai election by INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Operations, Amina Zakari, was lawful.
He further explained that the commission was always neutral in its actions, adding that it was time Nigerians began to show faith in institutions of government.
Meanwhile, as the National Assembly resumes from its recess to face legislative business this week, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has called on the national lawmakers to prevail on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to come out with a definite date and clean blue print for the conduct of a free and fair rerun elections in Rivers State tentatively slated for October by INEC to save the state from seemingly orchestrated political victimisation.
In a statement, Banigo said it is sad, provocative and a constitutional breach for INEC to relish in lackadaisical disposition and statements that portray it as being unserious, inept and overwhelmed in conducting election in Rivers State.
The deputy governor wondered why it is only one opposition party out of 30 registered political parties in the state that is not complaining about the endless and teleguided postponement, describing the inaction of INEC as a demonstration of incompetence and a dangerous trend to the sustenance of the democratic process.
She regretted that under the current leadership of INEC, the country now has infamous legacies of inconclusive and needless postponement of elections since the exit of Professor Attahiru Jega.
Banigo urged the National Assembly to invite INEC for interrogation over their inability to conduct rerun elections in the state.
Meanwhile, a pro-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) group, Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), has threatened to petition the international community, if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fails to conduct legislative rerun elections in Rivers State proposed for October.
The President General of GDI, Bright Amaewhule, who issued the threat while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, added that the group will no longer accept further postponement of the legislative election.
He complained that the people of the various constituencies where elections have not been concluded in Rivers State are being denied representation at the national and state assemblies.
Amaewhule said PDP may be forced to take to the streets, if the elections do not hold in October.
The GDI president general warned that the frequent postponement of elections in Rivers State over alleged insecurity will no longer be accepted.
Josephine Atagana
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
-
Education2 days agoRSU Begins First Semester Exams, Today
-
Sports1 day agoWheelchair Athlete Seeks Support
-
News1 day agoDevelopment Without Quality Healthcare System Is Useless -Fubara
-
News1 day agoHYPREP Invites Foreign Experts For Complex Sites Remediation
-
Politics1 day ago
Sekibo Endorses Odili’s Declaration On Rivers Political Leadership
-
News1 day agoNimet Forecasts Three-Day Sunshine, Thunderstorms
-
Oil & Energy1 day agoElectricity Tarrif Is Flexible – Power Minister
-
Niger Delta1 day agoCommunity Lauds NDDC, Cleric On Project Execution
