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PDP Sweeps Rivers Rerun Polls …Kobani, INEC Official Laud Exercise
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has swept the four pending seats in the House of Assembly rerun elections held, last Saturday, in the four local government areas of Rivers State.
The rerun polls covered Gokana, Abua/Odual, Ahoada West, and Opobo/Nkoro state constituencies.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday, declared Hon. Okpokiri Nwanaka Okpokiri of the PDP winner of the supplementary election for Ahoada West State Constituency seat, after polling 32, 574 to defeat his closest rival, Harry Osomuya of the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP), who polled 3, 236.
The INEC also declared Sokolo Solomon winner of the Abua/Odual State Constituency with 55, 944 votes.
The commission further declared Dumle Maol of Gokana State Constituency winner after scoring 55,319 votes.
The House of Assembly seat for Opobo/Nkoro State Constituency was won by Adonye Diri after he had scored 7,713.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had cancelled the March 9, 2019 Assembly elections in the areas following electoral violence.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) did not field any candidate in the election, having been lawfully barred by courts of competent jurisdiction from doing so in all elections in the 2019 General Election.
Reacting to the conduct of the exercise, Secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and members of his constituency for a peaceful supplementary election in Gokana.
Speaking at his Ward 1, Unit 8 in Gokana, shortly after casting his vote, Kobani said that the people of the area turned out en-mass to vote for the candidate of their choice without intimidation.
“The weather has been clement, at about 7:00 am this morning, voters started turning in for accreditation and voting”.
“I’m grateful that the exercise is peaceful without hindrances or threat and violence as was the case before. We thank God that they were able to do so, so that in the end, the will of the people would be expressed.”
He father said that, “My expectation is that we will today succeed in electing a credible member of the state Assembly to represent us, a member that would promote good laws that would move this constituency forward.”
Kobani said that his ward, located in Bodo City, as the largest community in Ogoni, was made up of 13 units.
“I’m grateful, the security so far is commendable, the police deployment for this election is good, if we had this level of police presence, we wouldn’t have had any problems in the last election”, he said.
According to him, “one of the major reasons why we are enjoying such peace which has also translated to a peaceful election is because the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, in his magnanimity, has extended the Olive branch to the main opposition, with a call for peace.
“Indeed, there is no need for fighting, let us come together and build a united Rivers State,” he added.
Earlier, Electoral Officers for Abua/Odual and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas, Mr Davis Iluebbey and Mr Samuel Udezi, respectively, said that accreditation and voting for the state House of Assembly election went on peacefully, last Saturday.
Iluebbey told newsmen that although there were little delays because of the heavy rain in Abu/Odual, electoral materials had been deployed to all the polling units.
“In Abua/Odual, we have enough electoral materials, and the presiding and assistant presiding officers (POs and APOs) left early with their electoral materials to the polling units.
“There was heavy rain that delayed the process, but voting has started because accreditation and voting are going on simultaneously.”
According to Iluebbey, although 14 political parties are on the ballot for the Abua/Odual State Constituency Assembly election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) were the two leading political parties in the contest.
“So far, the election is going on peacefully in all the 181 polling units of the 13 Wards in the LGA. The total number of registered voters in the LGA is 88, 561,” he said.
In Opobo/Nkoro LGA, Samuel Udezi confirmed that only 20 polling units in five Wards with 7,344 registered voters were affected in the state constituency supplementary election.
“We have no issue for now, we have deployed all the materials to the POs, and we are even going round to supervise them.
“I am currently in Ward 7, Unit 18, and the accreditation and voting are going on peacefully for now,” he said.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.