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Rivers Guber Election: INEC Lists Timeline For Conclusion …Resumes Results Collation, Announcement April 2,5 …Re-Run Polls To Hold April 13 …Court Rejects AAC’s Move To Stop Results Collation

Published

7 years ago

March 22, 2019

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally released the much awaited timeline for the completion of the electoral processes in Rivers State.
Consequently, the commission has said that it would resume collation of Rivers State governorship election results on April 2, and announce the same on April 5.
The Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mr Festus Okoye, who disclosed this during a press conference at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, yesterday, said that the venue for the collation and announcement of results would be decided at a meeting with critical stakeholders on March 30.
The INEC national commissioner stated that the commission would hold an inter-agency security meeting on March 29, after which guidelines would be issued on the election, adding that efforts would also be made to undertake the revalidation of polling agents and observers.
He said that the electoral body would conduct supplementary elections on April 13 in local government areas where elections could not hold on March 9.
Okoye explained that such decision to conduct supplementary election where necessary, and in some constituencies not affected by litigation, would depend on the outcome of results collation in the state.
He further said that certificates of return would be issued to successful candidates on April 19.
Okoye also said that the commission was set to deploy national commissioners in various states where supplementary election would take place on March 23, to monitor the process and present certificates of return to the winners.
It would be recalled that supplementary elections had been scheduled for Plateau, Benue, Kano, Sokoto, as well as Adamawa and Bauchi, but litigations have put question marks on the possibility of any rerun polls for Bauchi and Adamawa this weekend.
However, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) elders in Rivers State have come hard on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing it of working with extraneous forces to shift the date of collation of results of the March 9 governorship election to April 2.
They warned that doing so was tantamount to deliberately precipitating constitutional crisis and setting the state on fire.
It would be recalled that INEC had earlier set March 20 date for the commencement of collation of results for the governorship/state assembly election which it suspended as a result controversy over the alleged infamous role played by security agencies at collation centres in the state.
But in what appears a twist, yesterday, the commission announced that it would resume collation of the results on April 2, and announce results arising therefrom on April 5.
The Rivers State African Action Congress (AAC/APC) alliance, led by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi had approached an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Inyang Ekpo for an ex-parte order restraining INEC from going ahead with the collation and announcement of results of the election, a motion the judge rejected.
INEC said it had already collated the results of 17 local government areas and would conclude the collation of remaining councils as soon as possible.
Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, the elders, including former governor of the state, Sir Celestine Omehia, former minister of transport, Abiye Sekibo, Chairman of the state’s chapter of PDP, Bro Felix Obua and Sergeant Awuse, accused INEC of dancing to the tune of extraneous forces and working to set the state on fire by shifting the collation date to April 2.
The elders described as dishonourable and shameful the decision of the commission to recant from its earlier promise to start the collation of results of the election on March 20.
“What INEC wants to do is to precipitate crisis in Rivers State. It is now clear that it has bowed to extraneous forces,” Obuah said.
Warning that INEC was treading on a dangerous ground with the shift in the date of the collation of results, the elders said INEC’s move has the potential of setting it against the people of the state.
Meanwhile, a coalition under the auspices of Civil Society Election Observers in Rivers State has urged INEC to make provision in extant legislation that would encourage electronic voting in Nigeria in the 2023 General Election.
The coalition, while revealing details of its findings in its iReport Platform during a press conference in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, emphasised the merit of electronic voting, adding that when adopted, it would reduce election violence and negative activities associated with it.
Speaking in an interview, the group’s spokesperson, Ogunduesi Nwoke, said that electronic voting would solve the challenge of massive rigging and widespread violence during elections.
Nwoke stated that the platform was requesting INEC to set up a panel of inquiry to determine the undue involvement of the Nigerian Army and police in the 2019 General Election, particularly in Rivers State.
Speaking at the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to end the pattern of inconclusive elections and conclude that of Rivers and Bauchi states.
Secondus, who led the National Working Committee of the PDP, during a courtesy visit to Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, urged the electoral body not to cause a crisis with the manoeuvring of results.
“I call on the Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu not to set this country into crisis because of inconclusive elections. It has never happened in the history of our country.
“This manoeuvring and inconclusive election, even elections concluded and done with, results cannot be collated at the headquarters in Rivers and Bauchi. He should move ahead to conclude these elections immediately so that the people can be at peace and rest.”
However, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, alleged that some persons in the state are making attempts to stop the process of result collation by INEC.
“Attempts have been made to stop collation as announced by INEC. This morning the political parties that contested the elections with us, have all gone to court to seek for stopping of collation. But the court did not grant them.
“But we prefer the move because it is the due process. The pain is the antics by security agencies trying to intimidate collation and electoral officers, inviting them for one offence of the other so as to impede on the collation of results,” Wike added.
Meanwhile, Justice Inyang Ekpo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has denied an application filed by the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara, seeking to stop the collation of results for the March 9 Rivers State Governorship and House of Assembly elections.
Ekpo held that the application brought before the court was such that the court cannot grant without hearing from the other party.
The plaintiff, represented by Tawo Tawo, in an ex-parte application, had prayed for an order to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from going ahead to resume, conclude and announce the results.
But the judge, after listening to the submission of the plaintiffs, chose not to grant their prayers.
Instead, the judge ordered the plaintiffs to put the respondents on notice on the suit, and fixed March 25, for both the plaintiffs and respondents to appear before him to present their positions.
Earlier, Ekpo had drawn the attention of the plaintiffs’ counsel to news making the round that he had already stopped the electoral body from going ahead to take further action.
The judge also drew the attention of the senior counsel to one Inyang Ewa, who granted the purported order, but the counsel denied the existence of such name as a Federal High Court judge.
Ekpo subsequently reprimanded those behind the fake news, adding that it was wrong for anybody or group to resort to self-help because such had been prohibited in the judiciary.
The plaintiffs had in their originating summons prayed the court to stop INEC from resuming collation and conclusion of the March 9 election results in Rivers State and from declaring any person or group as winners of the poll.
The plaintiffs specifically applied for an order compelling the electoral body to maintain the suspension of the electoral processes as announced on March 10.

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PANDEF Hails Tinubu For Lifting Emergency Rule In Rivers

Published

4 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

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

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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