News
We’re Set For Rivers Re-Run Poll, ’Morrow -INEC …Wike’s Victory Shows Acceptance -Obuah
All is now set for the conduct of the supplementary election in four local government areas of Gokana, Opobo/Nkoro, Ahoada West and Abua/Odual, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), tomorrow, to determine the remaining seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Consequently, the commission has assured that it was 80 per cent ready to conduct the supplementary election in four State Assembly Constituencies in Rivers State.
The INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Rivers State, Mr Edwin Enabor, who gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen at the commission’s head office in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said that the sensitive electoral materials were inspected with the participating party agents at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
He said that the distribution of materials to the affected constituencies had commence, yesterday.
According to Enabor, the commission will mainly use its permanent staff and some students of the University of Port Harcourt as ad-hoc staff to conduct the exercise.
“So far so good; we are almost at 80 per cent ready. We have done training for the ad hoc staff, particularly the supervisors, while training for Presiding and Assistant Presiding Officers are ongoing.
“We have done the stakeholders meeting. The security committee had met at the local government level where the supplementary election will hold,” he said.
The INEC head of voter education and publicity stated that the commission would make use of results transmitted to its national server and accreditation from the smart card readers.
He urged the electorate in the affected constituencies to be peaceful and allow INEC to conclude the conduct of the election in the state.
A statement by the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Barrister Festus Okoye, in Abuja, had earlier said that 261,683 registered voters are expected to participate in the exercise in 106 polling points, spread across 467 polling units in 45 wards of the affected local government areas.
The statement indicated that the decision to conduct the supplementary election in the affected areas follows a careful review of the March 9 State House of Assembly election in the state.
According to Okoye, “However, supplementary election will be held in the following areas on Saturday, April 13, 2019, in line with the timetable released by the commission: Gokana, Opobo/Nkoro, Ahoada West and Abua/Odual”.
He noted that in Gokana, 129, 086 registered voters would be expected to vote during the exercise in 219 polling units cut across 17 wards, while in Opobo/Nkoro, 7,344 registered voters are expected to vote in 20 polling units spread across five wards.
The INEC director of voter education also explained that in Ahoada West, 36,692 registered voters would vote in 47 polling units cut across 10 wards, while in Abua/Odual, 88,561 registered voters were expected to turn out to vote in 181 polling units cut across 13 wards in the local government area.
Justifying the decision, Okoye said that in Gokana, the election process was largely “disrupted”, thereby giving rise to the rerun while in Abua/Odual, INEC officials were not even allowed to “deploy” materials for the conduct of the exercise on March 9, and therefore, the need for supplementary election.
He further explained that the exercise was “inconclusive by reason of margin of lead” in both Opobo/Nkoro and Ahoada West, and insisted that supplementary election would be conducted in the two local government areas to determine who represents the state constituencies in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Okoye, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders in the state, especially the political parties, the security agencies, election observers, the media, to play statutory roles in ensuring the peaceful conduct of the exercise, while charging the electorate in the affected areas to turn out in their large numbers to vote candidates of their choice into the state legislative arm of government.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah has expressed delight that almost one week after the landslide victory of Governor Nyesom Wike as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), an unprecedented jubilation still pervades the length and breadth of the state.
In a statement in Port Harcourt, Obuah said the unrelenting jubilation was evidence of wide acceptability of Wike by the people of the state.
He said the reason that the post-election celebration has remained endless was because all efforts dissipated by those he called ‘evil forces’ to subvert the will of the people, had failed woefully.
The state PDP chairman observed that never in the history of the state had there been such singular occasion where all strata of the society, including farmers, market men and women, fishermen, civil servants, pensioners, religious groups and even members of the opposition political parties, in one accord, came out to rejoice over an electoral victory.
“How else could a people demonstrate total acceptability of a leader? How else could they express their love for that leader, a man that is passionate about the welfare of the people, a man who has defied every odd to prove that governance is possible? Rivers people have shown that the victory of Governor Wike is well deserved”, Obuah said.
He added that the jubilations also underscored the fact that Rivers State was indisputably a PDP state where no other political party was an option.
“What is happening in Rivers State is that Governor Wike’s re-election has triggered unending joy on everyone. He has touched lives as he used his first tenure to spread development to all the nooks and crannies of the state”, Obuah stated, charging all and sundry to give the governor their unalloyed support to enable him do more for the state in his second term.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
A first class traditional ruler in Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Aaron Ikuru, has described Nigeria at 65 as a grandfather who cannot provide leadership to other African Countries.
The monarch stated this in an interview at his palace in Ikuru Town, yesterday.
According to him, Nigeria would have been a developed country to set the pace in the whole of Africa, considering its numerous resources.
“Nigeria is a grandfather but not behaving as a grandfather. Our country, Nigeria, before and from the era of Independence was in the state of becoming a great country, but unfortunately is not becoming anything.
“We should be far ahead with what we have in the country. God blessed us, we have almost what it takes in terms of mineral resources, manpower amongst others that can drive speedy development in the country.
“If we’re able to harness all the things we have, even America by now would have respected us”, he said.
While blaming the past leaders of the country, the monarch called on the current leadership of the country to redouble efforts in order to narrow the differences in terms of development, exchange rate between naira and foreign currencies.
King Ikuru, who is also the Chairman of Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council, however, lauded the efforts of the founding fathers, past leaders of the country for the achievements so far.
He also expressed optimism that Nigeria would be great, calling on the opinion leaders to shun tribalism and political intolerance in the country.
“If Nigeria should experience rapid development in all sectors, it means we must shun tribalism and political intolerance, the interest of our country must be our priority.
“We need to fight corruption vigorously, and leaders must show good example of discipline and integrity”, he said.
The monarch used the opportunity to wish Nigeria happy independence anniversary.
By: Enoch Epelle
The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate has announced the start of implementation of the new pension increments for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, saying the adjustments will be reflected in the September 2025 payroll cycle.
In a statement signed by Management and posted on its X handle, PTAD said the increase package includes a fixed N32,000 payment alongside percentage increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for eligible categories, which will benefit about 832,000 pensioners under its management.
Recall that PTAD in August announced President Bola Tinubu approved a series of measures, including new welfare benefits for pensioners under DBS.
The approval follows a formal request by PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, seeking an emergency budgetary allocation to implement pension reforms and welfare benefits for the scheme’s retirees.
The measures include a N32,000 pension increment, percentage increases for pensioners of defunct and privatised agencies, pension harmonisation for all DBS pensioners, enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the settlement of long-standing unfunded pension liabilities.
In a statement yesterday, PTAD said the partial release of N820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance from the emergency funding has made it possible for pensioners to begin receiving the enhanced payments immediately.
The statement read, “Further to the President’s approval of the emergency budgetary allocation for the payment of the new pension increment rates for Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBS) that was earlier published by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate on Friday, 8th August, 2025, the Directorate is delighted to announce the commencement of the implementation of the 832,000, 10.66% and 12.95% pension increment for eligible pensioners under the management of PTAD, in the September 2025 pension payroll cycle.
“This achievement has been made possible through the partial release of 820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance, from the initial 845 billion emergency funding approval granted by the Federal Government.
“This milestone clearly reaffirms the Federal Government’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and entitlements of DBS Pensioners in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The directorate thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the emergency allocation.
It also acknowledged the role of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Accountant-General of the Federation and key presidential aides and parliamentary committees for their “timely interventions” and support.
The statement also expressed appreciation to organised pension groups, including the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria, for their cooperation during negotiations and implementation planning.
“We further assure all our DBS Pensioners and Stakeholders that the Directorate will continue to collaborate with the relevant authorities towards release of the outstanding approved funds and subsequent fulfilment of all future obligations relating to the pension increments and the landmark reforms,” the statement added.
The DBS covers pensioners who retired before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, including those from defunct public institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals.
Over the years, many have faced irregular payments, delayed harmonisation, and inadequate healthcare access, challenges that the new reforms are expected to address.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigeria. citizens to remain united, peaceful to enhance development of the nation as it celebrates 65th independence anniversary.
Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, Director of NOA in Akwa Ibom, gave the charge in Uyo yesterday while addressing newsmen and stakeholders to mark the anniversary.
Mkpoutom said it was essential to recognise that the strength of Nigeria lay in its diversity
“With over 250 ethnic groups and an array of languages, the nation embodies a unique blend of heritage.
“This diversity should be seen not as a dividing line but as a unifying force that propels the country toward progress.
“As Akwa Ibom embarks on another year, it is crucial for all citizens to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose.
“Embrace dialogue, understanding and collaborate with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu in its efforts to addressing pressing challenges like poverty, security, education, and healthcare, thereby paving way for a brighter future for all.”
The state director, however, appealed to Nigerians from all walks of life to renew their commitment to a more prosperous, peaceful, and equitable nation.
“Let this anniversary serve as a reminder of the collective strength that lies in every citizen,” he said.
He urged everyone to contribute positively to the development of a better society.
Mkpoutom urged the people and all citizens to honour the labours of heroes past, as they celebrated the present, while working diligently toward a future filled with hope and opportunities for generations to come.
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