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INEC Flags-Off Voters Registration In Rivers ’Morrow …Be Impartial, PDP Tells Electoral Body
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will flag-off the continuous voters’ registration exercise in Rivers State, today, by 9.00 am.
The commission, in a statement, stated that the exercise will commence by 9.00am at the INEC office in Port Harcourt Local Government Area by CFC.
The statement, signed by the Administrative Secretary, Dr Richard Ntui, on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, indicated that the exercise is in line with the provision of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), adding that the voters’ registration will commence simultaneously in all the 774 local government areas of the INEC offices nationwide.
He explained that the exercise is for citizens who have attained the age of 18 years or were not previously registered.
Ntui said registered voters who have not collected their permanent voters’ card can use the opportunity to do so, appealing to citizens to avail themselves with the opportunity to do what is right.
It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced, last week, that it will commence a nationwide continuous voter registration on April 27 across the 774 local government areas of the federation.
The Commissioner in charge of Operations, Mrs Amina Zakari, who disclosed this in a statement, last Wednesday, after a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECS) and Administrative Secretaries from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, stated that the exercise would take place from 9 am to 3 pm on weekdays (Mondays to Fridays), excluding public holidays.
Zakari said the registration centres shall be the local government offices of the commission or such other suitable locations as would be made public by the state offices of lNEC.
She also stated that the decision was taken at the meeting following INEC consultations with stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations and the media, explaining that the exercise was intended to enable citizens who have turned 18 years of age since the last registration exercise as well as those who did not register during the last exercise to register as voters.
According to her, “It also will allow those seeking transfer of their registration from one state to another or within a state from polling unit to another to do so.
“The exercise also intends to enable the distribution of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to those who could not collect them before or since the last general elections.”
Zakari also explained that the exercise will also enable citizens who have the Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) but whose names are on the register to collect their PVCs, advising those who were already registered not to do so again as it was an offence to register more than once.
“The commission wishes to reiterate its commitment to consolidating our democracy. This we are going to do by ensuring that citizens are given the opportunity to register as voters on a continuous basis as enshrined in the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) well before elections.’’
Meanwhile, as the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), gets set to commence the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration, tomorrow, across the 774 local government areas of the federation, the Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Rivers State chapter, Bro Felix Obuah, has called on the commission to ensure the exercise is transparent and devoid of discrimination, manipulation and intimidation.
Obuah also welcomed the INEC exercise, believing that it would improve the data base and increase voters’ participation in the forthcoming general elections, only if it is done without bias by the handlers of the process.
He particularly called on INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu as well as the INEC National Commissioner, Mrs Amina Zakari not to see the exercise as another opportunity to demonstrate their preference and ‘loyalty’ to a particular political party and section of the country, as kinsmen to the President. But should rather prove to Nigerians that they are detribalised, apolitical, and objectively carrying out the mandate of a federal and ‘independent’ commission.
He believed that the voter registration exercise offers the commission another opportunity to correct its already battered image, by doing the right, and to ensure that all units and wards in the 774 LGAs in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are accurately covered in terms of fresh registration and distribution of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The PDP chairman observed that apart from helping to consolidate the nation’s democracy, the success of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration would greatly impact on the conduct of the forthcoming elections, and therefore, put the commission on test as it engages in the exercise.
The party, therefore, called on all eligible citizens, particularly all those who have turned 18 years of age since the last registration, as well as those who did not register during the last exercise, to come out enmass to the various registration centres and ensure they are duly registered.
The PDP also urged all its members and eligible electorate who have the Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) but whose names are on the register to ensure they collected their PVCs to avoid it being issued to impostors by unscrupulous elements and agents of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), as witnessed in previous elections.
The Rivers PDP chairman further charged all relevant security agencies and institutions to commit themselves more to ensuring that the voter registration exercise was not manipulated by the ruling party, or compromised by officials of the commission, as every qualified Nigerian has the right of participation in the exercise, as contained in the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) without being intimidated, denied, or coerced by any superior power or authority.
“It’s important that the commission ensures its staff involved in the registration exercise are always at their duty post during the hours of the exercise, and not hoard the PVCs/TVCs. They should also allow equal, free access to all potential registrants, no matter the sex, political affiliation, state of origin, or religions background”, Obuah emphasised.
A Coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Federal Government to take proactive steps towards addressing the persistent gas eruptions in Bille, Rivers.
The coalition, made up of the People’s Assembly and Bille Working Group, made the call in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, and read to journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Reading the letter, the coalition’s convener, Dr Isaac Osuoka, said that the persistent gas eruption in Bille had led to serious environmental and public health challenges.
Osuoka, also the Executive Director, Social Action, urged Tinubu to establish a presidential task force to investigate and contain the gas leak in Bille.
He also called for the immediate relocation of residents to safe shelters, provision of clean water, food and healthcare services.
Dr Emem Okon, the Executive Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, stated that gas had been bubbling from the ground, creeks, boreholes and hand-dug wells in the community since October 2025.
Okon said that the gas had triggered several fires and explosions, and that residents of the community had reported respiratory problems, vomiting and other illnesses associated with exposure to the emissions.
According to her, preliminary investigations by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have yet to identify the source of the gas.
Mr Kentebe Ebiaridor, the Coordinator, Oilwatch International, called for the publication of results from preliminary soil and water tests conducted in Bille for the residents to know the nature and extent of the contamination.
Ebiaridor urged the Federal Government to deploy medical teams to screen and treat affected residents, and immediately commence an independent study on the health impacts of the leak.
He further called for the suspension of oil and gas operations around OML 18 and 24 until the source of the gas leak was identified and the affected areas declared safe.
Ebiaridor urged the government to hold current and former operators of the oil leases accountable for environmental damage on the community.
Another speaker, Dr Bieye Briggs, urged the National Assembly to fast-track the NOSDRA Amendment Bill, 2025 to provide the agency with statutory funding and stronger enforcement powers.
Briggs urged the Federal Government to activate the regional Spill Command Centre, and make the Upstream Remediation Fund accessible for the Bille crisis and other affected communities in the Niger Delta.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has banned drone operations and fireworks in Uyo and announced temporary traffic restrictions ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the State today.
The state Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, announced the measures yesterday while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
He said the restrictions were part of security arrangements to maintain public order, protect strategic locations and ensure the smooth movement of the President’s convoy during his engagements.
“There will be total restriction on the operation and flying of drones within Uyo metropolis throughout the period of the visit. Members of the public, drone operators and service providers are advised to strictly comply with the directive,” he said.
The police commissioner also announced a ban on fireworks, knockouts and other explosive sound-producing devices within the state capital during the visit.
He said the measure would prevent panic and allow security personnel to respond effectively to genuine security threats.
The command also announced temporary restrictions on public access to designated routes and locations in Uyo to facilitate the movement of the presidential convoy.
The affected areas are Airport Road, Shelter Afrique Junction, Oron Road, Nung Oku Junction, Mbierebe Junction and Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
“Motorists are urged to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the corridors.
“Members of the public are advised to avoid the routes during the restriction and use alternative routes,” Azare said.
He also urged residents to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the affected corridors.
The commissioner said the command, working with other security agencies, had put in place security arrangements to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free visit.
He appealed to residents to understand that the temporary restrictions were necessary security measures and not intended to cause hardship.
Azare urged members of the public to remain law-abiding, avoid restricted areas and report suspicious movements to the nearest police station or through police emergency channels.
Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom is a working visit during which he is expected to inaugurate major infrastructure projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration under its ARISE Agenda. The projects cut across aviation, road infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, land administration and security.
Among the projects scheduled for inauguration are the international terminal building and airport hospital at Victor Attah International Airport, Aviation Village, ARISE Palm Resort, the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road, Ring Road 3, the Command and Control Centre and the AkwaGIS building.
The state government had earlier announced plans for the President to inaugurate projects as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary in September.
The airport projects are particularly significant to the state’s ambition to expand aviation, tourism and investment.
The international terminal is expected to strengthen the airport’s capacity to handle international operations, while the Aviation Village is intended to provide accommodation for aviation workers. The airport hospital is also among the facilities lined up for inauguration.
The road projects are also expected to improve connectivity. The 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road links communities in the two local government areas, while Ring Road 3 is designed to improve movement within Uyo and ease pressure on existing roads. The Command and Control Centre, meanwhile, is intended to strengthen security surveillance and coordination in the State.
The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.
He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.
“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.
Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.
The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.
On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.
Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.
With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.
Kevin Nengia
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