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Wike Berates Buhari’s Failure To Sign Electoral Act …Says It’s A Ploy To Rig 2019 Polls

Published

7 years ago

September 12, 2018

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the amended Electoral Act was part of the plot to rig the 2019 elections.
In an interview at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike stated that the plot by the APC Federal Government was basically to write results against the wishes of Nigerians.
He said: “Why has the President not signed the Electoral Act? What is the fear? What do you mean by mistakes? Oh my God what is a mistake? Errors you didn’t see by one month’s time? Errors for the first time, the second time, the third time. Does it not tell Nigerians these people are not prepared for election?
“All they are prepared is to write the results and let heaven fall. Most of them who have left PDP to APC told me that, My Brother, look I can confidently tell you that these people are not prepared for the election. All they want to do is write the results, let heaven fall.”
Wike noted that the APC Federal Government and the security agencies would not succeed in rigging the elections in Rivers State.
He said: “In my State? It won’t happen. I know they will kill a lot of people. I can tell you, they will kill a lot of us. No problem, if that is the sacrifice we will make.”
Wike explained that intelligence at the disposal of the Rivers State Government indicates that indicted SARS Commander, ACP Akin Fakorede and DCP Stephen Hasso feature prominently in the rigging plot of the APC-led Federal Government in the state.
He said: “They are planning for Rivers State as I speak. Let me tell you. They are promoting my Commissioner of Police to Assistant Inspector-General of Police, they are promoting the Deputy Commissioner of Police, who was just made a Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) to be Acting Commissioner of Police and the SARS man who took Rivers State Government to court, who has perpetrated rigging of election even by INEC report, they are going to make him the man in charge of operations just for the purpose of 2019 elections.
“Akin Fakorede, to be made the Head of Operations of the State Police Command, then Stephen Hasso who is the Deputy Commissioner of Police will be made the Acting Commissioner of Police and the current Commissioner of Police will be appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police for the purpose of 2019 election and they think that we don’t know.”
The governor said that the international community was under obligation to take proactive action against officials of the APC-led Federal Government who destroyed the foundation of democracy and the rule of law, and called for the revocation of their visas.
“If it were where things are done rightly, they should revoke all the visas of those in government who are opposed to democratic rule principles, rule of law. Let me tell you whether you like it or not, this government is bent on eliminating the key opposition”.
He stated that the electoral criminality plotted by the APC-led Federal Government was exhibited during the cancelled Port Harcourt State Constituency three election where security agencies and APC thugs were unleashed on the constituents.
The governor said: “Look at the bye-election in Port Harcourt Constituency three comprising eight wards, 142 polling units within the same area. It is a ring road like this; it will not take you thirty minutes to cover them. The Commissioner of Police as I speak to you since after the election has not seen me to explain to me why all the atrocities were perpetrated, snatching electoral materials, and beating INEC officials.
“I am not happy with INEC for one reason, Yes I am happy with them for one way that they stood up but then, this is the same police, the same SARS that you indicted in the 2016/2017 re-run election and what has happened?”
Wike noted that the APC-led Federal Government plots to use security agencies to promote mass violence across Rivers State on the day of the governorship election in 2019, so that it would be postponed for them to have time to invade the state with hundreds of thousands of security personnel for rigging purposes.
“First of all, as far as 2019 election is concerned, there will be no election. The security agencies will help them to show that there is so many crises in the entire local governments, shooting everywhere and then they will postpone the election. When they postpone the election, then they will now bring down all their security agencies to the Rivers election”.
Wike further explained the modalities for the planned rigging by the APC-led Federal Government.
“We know, we have people inside the system who also working with them who are also letting us know these are the plans they are hatching and it has been happening. Port Harcourt showed it, I told my people don’t do anything.
“Allow them to show their hands and they did by coming with criminals and SARS wearing their uniforms. SARS protected them to cart away materials. INEC REC from Akwa Ibom, not Rivers State INEC, from Akwa Ibom, one of the three RECs that were sent here said, he saw, he witnessed, he couldn’t believe it. That at this our time, security agencies will lead people to cart away materials. So, for 2019, it is to make sure no election takes place in the first instance.
“As I speak to you, they will shoot everywhere and INEC would say, No, there will be no election. We cannot handle it that is the strategy for 2019. Tell the people, tell the public, tell Mr President. That they will make sure that there is so much violence in Rivers State so that elections will be postponed and then when elections are postponed, other elections in other states will take place, then, they will now move down all the security men to Rivers State.”
Wike berated the APC for selecting a murder suspect as one of their factional chairmen in Rivers State and ordering security agencies to protect him.
He said: “A man who is facing multiple murder trials, the court said, he must be arrested for murder, ordered the Commissioner of Police to arrest him. They say, they can’t find the man but the man is the one who will come out and say, he’s contesting for the Chairman of the APC? What a shame to this country, what a shame to the security agency. They should bury their heads in shame.
“If my father was a police man, I will tell my father, withdraw as a policeman, it is a shame. A man facing multiple trials, the court ordered that he should be arrested. The police said that they cannot find him, is the man who contested for APC election. He is the man who led what happened in PHALGA Constituency 3 on 18th of August, 2018.”

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PANDEF Hails Tinubu For Lifting Emergency Rule In Rivers

Published

1 week 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.

Featured

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

Published

2 weeks 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

Featured

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

Published

4 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