Polls Stall Legistative Business

Proceedings at the State House of Assembly have been on suspension since the elections began in February with the various Assembly members involved in one campaign or the other.
But as at penultimate week since the results of the guber and House of Assembly elections held in the first week of March were suspended by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reports have it that half of the legislators had already won their seats back.
Out of the 32 seats in the Assembly, it was reported that about 21 of the legislators under the flagship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had won.
Some of those who won their seats include those of Port Harcourt Constituency, 1,2,3, Obio/Akpor 1&2, Degema, Akuku-Toru, Okrika, Ogu-Bolo, Khana 1 and 2, Tai and Gokana Constituencies.
Member representing Opobo/Nkoro in the House, Hon. Adonye Diri was in a clear lead even as results were yet to be fully concluded.
Hon. Diri however during the elections had condemned presence and activities of military personnel in the conduct of the polls.
In the view of Diri the soldiers were visibly aiding and supporting the opposition in up turning the wishes of the people. He accused solders of carting away electorial materials in some parts Nkoro and Opobo satellite villages.
He called on the people to be calm as no form of intimidation will stop the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from emerging victorious at the polls.
Meanwhile, one of the legislators in the Assembly representing, Oyigbo State Constituency, Hon. Promise Dike has won his election as member representing Eleme/Oyigbo/Tai Federal Constituency in the National Assembly.
Hon. Dike who was among the incoming legislators who received their certificate of return at INEC headquarters at Abuja was full of hope for his constituents.
Dike thanked the people of Oyigbo, Tai and Eleme for coming out in t heir numbers to vote for the PDP, while assuring them that a new vista has been created with his emergence to represent the people.
The legislator is set to replace senator-elect Barr Mpigi, who is now senator-elect for Rivers South-East in the National Assembly.
Consequently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that the remaining results affecting about II constituencies will be concluded before April 19th.
INEC statement is coming two weeks after it stopped the announcement of results due to widely reported violence in some parts of the state, in addition to alleged solders interference in the electoral process.
In order to conclude the voting process, INEC said the collation of results will begin on 2nd-5th April while elections in those areas suspended will be done on April 20th and result declared from 20th to 22nd of April.
The electoral umpire called on all stakeholders to be patient and calm, as it’s poised to do the right thing.

Kevin Nengia