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Rerun: Rivers Decides, ’Morrow …Amidst Huge Armed Security …INEC Shares Sensitive Materials

Published

9 years ago

December 9, 2016

All is now set for the conduct of the rerun elections into the remaining legislative seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and the three Senatorial seats at the National Assembly tomorrow.

Consequently, all participating political parties and their respective candidates for the various elective positions have concluded campaigns to canvass for votes from Rivers electorate.

Already, the electorate across the affected local government areas and communities have been sensitised and mobilised to freely exercise their franchise on Saturday.

On their part, the police and other security agencies detailed for election duties have been adequately mobilised and fired up to provide the much needed security and protection to all participants in the electoral process without fear or favour.

Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has concluded arrangements for the exercise which has been postponed several times this year after the botched March 19 attempt.

The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC),says all plans for the conclusion of the outstanding March 19th re run elections in Rivers State have been concluded as materials for the elections were distributed yesterday, Thursday.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak who stated this on Wednesday, during a stakeholders forum in Port Harcourt, stated that the rerun elections will be held in the three senatorial districts, Rivers East, Rivers South East and Rivers West and Eight Federal constituencies seats, Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo, Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro, Bonny/Degema,Akuku-Toru/Asari Toru,Khana/Gokana, Ikwerre/Emohua,Etche/Omuma and Okrika/Ogu.

Elder Ikoiwak also explained that elections would be conducted in ten state constituency seats, comprising Andoni, Asari Toru 1,Asari Toru 11,Bonny,Degema,Eleme,Etche 11,Gokana,Ikwerre and Khana 11, adding that the elections will cut across the 23 local Government Areas and that all the three election types will hold in every polling unit.

The REC noted that Card Reader will be used during the elections as it has been deployed to the local government areas, explaining that the modified voting procedure which involves simultaneous accreditation and voting will be also used.

He further explained that the commission in a bid to ensure a credible and fair rerun election had embarked on various activities such as stock taking/distribution of non sensitive materials, reactivation of registration area centres, sensitization of stakeholders, and peace meetings.

According to him,’’ the commission also recruited ad hoc personnel, trained, received and distributed sensitive materials and had several meetings with the inter-Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to fine tune plans and to ensure that adequate security is provided for corps members, other election officials, electorates and election materials.

Meanwhile, ahead of Saturday’s rerun election in Rivers State, pro-democracy and good governance group, the Wailing Wailers, has urged chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, particularly the National Chairman, Chief Odigie Oyegun and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State to stop making inciting statements capable of sparking violence in the state. APC rally in Rivers State.

The group, said the call became necessary, following what it described as inciting statements made by Oyegun and Ganduje, at the Mega Rally of the APC in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

The Wailing Wailers in a statement yesterday, in Abuja by its Ag. National Publicity Secretary, Usman Abubakar said: “our attention has been drawn to the inciting statement credited to the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Odigie Oyegun and the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, which has been reconfirmed.

“The statements, which they both made at the APC rallyyesterday, in the run down to the Rivers rerun, reads: “‘If they push you, push them back. If they slap you, slap them back” “As you can see, we came in force. The whole federal might is here”- Odigie Oyegun, APC National Chairman.

“‘If they shoot at you, take cover and shoot them back’-Gov. Ganduje, Kano State. “We are wondering, at what point did election become arm conflict or war in Nigeria? These dangerous and inciting statements by the Chairman of APC and Kano State Governor, must be condemned by Mr President.

If this statement is not condemned by President Buhari, it then means that APC has a plot to set Nigeria on fire. “Elections have been so peaceful, free and fair until APC took over power, and ripped the electorate their power to freely choose who they want to govern them. Since then, elections have become a do or die affair with the APC.

This is sad, we are also aware that all these are preparations to test ground for 2019. “If Oyegun and Ganduje are responsible people who love Nigeria above any selfish political interest, and also willing to lay a good foundation for the youths and incoming generation to follow, they should be working round the clock on how to ensure that Nigeria get out of the present economic doldrums their party has brought upon Nigeria.

They should not be in Rivers to brag about Federal might or to intimidate, induce voters and also incite violence. “We condemn in strong terms the statements and demand that the duo of APC National Chairman and Ganduje who left all the way from Kano state to incite violence in Rivers State, to tender an apology to Nigerians.

“We call on all Riverians to shun and not mind Oyegun and Ganduje call for violence, if you allow them to set your state on fire, they will not take part or bear the consequences with you. We therefore warn the violence promoters to desist from such acts and call for a peaceful election.”

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PANDEF Hails Tinubu For Lifting Emergency Rule In Rivers

Published

3 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has hailed the lifting of the State of Emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight, Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

In a statement signed by Board members and National Executive Committee members, yesterday, PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu for rectifying what they described as an anomaly.

The statement was co-signed by Co-Chairmen, PANDEF Board of Trustees, Alfred Diette-Spiff and Obong Victor Attah, National Chairman Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, and National Secretary, Beks Dagogo-Jack.

Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State on the 18th of March, 2025, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, and members of the state House of Assembly for six months in the first instance.

In place of the governor, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as Sole Administrator.

However, Tinubu announced the suspension of the Emergency Rule on Wednesday, stating, “It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”

The Forum commended Fubara’s unwavering perseverance and “faith in the divine will of Almighty God,” while also commending the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, the Speaker, and members of the House of Assembly, who were equally affected by the suspension.

“The Board and National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, the apex socio-political organisation representing the South-South geopolitical zone, joins millions of Nigerians in welcoming the lifting of the state of emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight, Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

“While PANDEF had expressed strong reservations regarding the erstwhile emergency rule, we commend His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for taking this bold step to rectify the anomaly.

“We welcome Governor Siminalayi Fubara back to his elected office and salute his unwavering perseverance and faith in the divine will of Almighty God. We extend similar commendations to the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Oduah, the Speaker, and members of the House of Assembly, who were equally affected by the suspension,” the statement read.

Addressing Rivers people, the forum declared, “Light has returned to the state and a new glorious dawn has come. A moment in which the bitter pains of the past months will inspire all to rededicate themselves to true mutual forbearance, new alignments and forward movement.”

They urged political leaders and citizens to put the past behind them and work towards the collective good of the State, while pledging to support Rivers’ developmental trajectory under Fubara.

“All hearts and hands must therefore be joined together to put the past behind us and work towards the collective good of the state.

“We look forward to the State’s return to normalcy and the resumption of its developmental trajectory under the leadership of Governor Fubara and his team. PANDEF reiterates its commitment to supporting the government and people of Rivers State in their pursuit of progress and development,” the statement added.

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RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.

Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.

He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”

The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.

Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.

He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.

“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.

“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.

The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.

He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.

The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“

“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.

She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.

Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,

expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.

“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”

He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.

The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.

The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State

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Rivers LG Poll: APC Wins 20 chairmanship seats, PDP Clears Three

Published

3 weeks ago

September 1, 2025

The Tide

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.

According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.

APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.

The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.

Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.

Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.

Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.

Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.

Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.

The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.

Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas

Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.

National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.

Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.

John Bibor & King Onunwor