Niger Delta
Bayelsa Polls: INEC Declares 33,606 Uncollected PVCs … As Key Contestants’ Areas Lead In Non-collection
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said there are about 33,606 uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in Bayelsa State.
The Tide gathered last Thursday in Yenagoa, the state capital, at the maiden press briefing held by the newly redeployed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to the State, Barr. Obo Effanga.
“Upon assumption of office last week, I met with the State’s Commissioner of Police”, he said.
He reiterated that he would continue consultations with critical stakeholders and other security formations, as well as meet with the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to foster an harmonious working relationship as the elections draw closer.
“I’ve also met with all the governorship candidates and state Chairmen of the 16 political parties which fielded candidates for the November 11th, 2023 Bayelsa State Governorship polls”, the REC added.
Effanga emphasized that he had at the various meetings restated INEC’s commitment in conducting credible polls.
“I’ve told political parties and candidates for the November 11th Bayelsa State Governorship election that the INEC here in the state under my stewardship is and shall continue to be an unbiased electoral umpire, so any candidate or party which desires to win the election must have voters to vote for him or her and their parties to win”, Effanga restated.
The electoral chief, who also indicated plans by the Commission to commence the issuance of uncollected permanent voters cards (PVCs) to their respective owners, noted that about 15 Registration Areas (RAs) have in excess of over 33,606 uncollected PVCs in the state.
“Local Government Areas which have more than 500 uncollected PVCs would do the issuances in the affected RAs (wards). There’re 105 wards in Bayelsa State.
“The collection of the PVCs would last for one month. It would begin on Monday, 11th, September through October 9th, 2023.
“Those with less than 500 uncollected PVCs would have theirs at their respective Local Government Areas’ INEC offices”, he emphasized.
Meanwhile, findings by The Tide, which monitored the briefing, shows that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva’s Brass Local Government Area has a total of 5273 uncollected PVCs.
Okpoama, ward 4 (RA 4), the former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources’ immediate Registration Area (RA), has 4,236, while the ward of the incumbent Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the Rt. Hon.Abraham Ingobere’s Sangana, Ward 10 (RA 10), also of the Brass council area, has 1,037. This makes it a total of 5273 for the Brass Local Government Area.
Ogbia Local Government Area, which shares same Senatorial District (Bayelsa East Senatorial District) with Sylva and Speaker Ingobere’s Brass Local Government Area, on the other hand, has 533 uncollected PVCs.
Ogbia Town, Ward one (RA 01) has 533, while Otakeme, Ward 12 (RA 12), has a total of 545.
Nembe Local Government Area, the LGA of origin of the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), and the State Chairman, APC, Dr Dennis Otiotio, is also in the Eastern Senatorial District of the state.
INEC said, Nembe, Ogbolomabiri III (RA 03), has a total of 694 uncollected PVCs, making a total of 7,045 uncollected PVCs for the State’s Eastern Senatorial District.
The electoral umpire, however, did not state the number of uncollected PVCs in former Governor (now Senator Henry Seriake Dickson’s Sagbama Local Government Area of origin.
The Tide gathered that Bayelsa West Senatorial District Comprises Ekeremor and Sagbama Local Government Areas.
Ekeremor, which The Tide further learnt is the Local Government Area of origin of the trio of the present Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, State PDP Chairman, Chief Solomon Agwana, and former Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Peremobowei Ebebi, according to the data by INEC, has a total of 1,233 uncollected PVCs in ‘Oporomor one’ (RA 06)
The Tide reports that further findings through the INEC statistics showed that Kolokuma/Opokuma, the Local Government Area of origin of the incumbent Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has 519 uncollected PVCs in Kaiama, ward 4 (RA 04), while in the governor’s immediate Registration Area, the Sampou/Kalama, Ward 6 (RA 06), has 3,133 uncollected PVCs.
Other Wards with uncollected PVCs in the Governor’s Local Government Area are, Kaiama/Olobiri, Ward 5 (RA 05), which has 609.
The Tide reports that the duo of Southern Ijaw and Yenagoa Local Government Areas, both of Governor Diri’s Central Senatorial District, cumulatively have the largest number of uncollected PVCs.
INEC gave the figures of uncollected PVCs in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Olodiama II (RA 04), as 1,187.
The Tide futher learnt that Southern Ijaw is the Local Government Area of origin of the APC’s Deputy Governorship candidate for the State’s 2023 governorship polls, Mr Jushua McIver.
Similarly, of all the afore mentioned Local Government Areas of the state with uncollected PVCs, Yenagoa Local Government Area, headquarters of the State’s Central Senatorial District, which is allegedly a PDP stronghold, has the highest number of uncollected PVCs.
In Yenagoa, according to INEC, Atissa one (RA 01) has 2,721; Atissa three (RA 03), 1,444; Epie one (RA 04), 4,319; Epie two (RA 05), 5,501; and Epie three (RA 06), 5,895, making a cumulative total of 25,328 uncollected PVCs for the Bayelsa State Central Senatorial District alone.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has said his administration will continue to collaborate with the navy for effective protection of the waterways.
Otu stated this when the Commandant, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, Commodore Shuaib Ahmed, visited him in Calabar.
The Governor described the visit as critical to consolidating the partnership between Cross River State and the navy.
“Peace and stability remain non-negotiable prerequisites for the progress of the state.
“So, this visit reaffirms our shared resolve to keep the state safe and secured through sustained collaboration,” he said.
Otu stated that security remained the foundation for meaningful development in every society.
“No society prospers in the midst of insecurity. As a state, our development vision depends on peace, order and collective vigilance,” he said.
The Governor commended the Navy for the level of professionalism being exuded by its personnel in the discharge of their duties.
He said the Navy’s efforts had hugely boosted investor confidence and strengthened the state’s economic environment.
The Governor assured the Navy of the state government’s continued support towards enhanced operation.
Earlier, Ahmed explained that the visit followed the military tradition of familiarizing with authorities upon assumption of duties.
He stated that it was crucial to align naval operations with the strategic priorities of the state government.
The naval chief thanked the state government for its support to the force, saying, “your support has helped us immensely in achieving targets”
The Commandant further said there was need to strengthen infrastructure and communication systems in order to address evolving security challenges.
“Operationalising key naval facilities will improve our capacity to tackle maritime crimes.
“The Navy is committed to supporting the state in ensuring the safety and security of the waterways.
“We shall continue to promote peace while enabling the residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear,” he said.
The Agbura Community of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has again lauded the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and the Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, over infrastructure projects executed in the community.
Speaking with newsmen midweek in Yenagoa, its Chairman, Community Development Committee, Mr. Tribunal Egba, hailed the Governor for the successful completion of the abandoned Oxbow lake-Agbura Road project and others within the Community.
He also eulogized the NDDC MD for the construction of new lodge in the community for serving Corps members as well as plans to execute other projects.
Mr. Egba added that the completion of the Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road has given the community facelift, while also pleading with the government and the interventionist agency to award shore protection contract in the community to save it from the perennial floodings experienced in the fast urbanizing town.
Similarly, the community’s leadership has given assurances that it will continue to give priority to development and security of lives and property.
The CDC helmsman promised to strengthen the existing community vigilante group, while also stressing that the age-long synergy between the community and security agencies would be improved upon to get rid of crime and criminalities in the area.
“As a community, we’re so thankful to Governor Diri for constructing the abandoned Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road project. We’re also glad with the level of infrastructural development ongoing in other parts of the state, courtesy of the Diri-led administration.
“We also like to laud the MD/CEO, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for the construction of a befitting Corpers lodge for Corps members serving in this community.
“Our priority as a community now is to protect these infrastructure projects. We’ll continue to work in synergy with all security agencies to make sure there’s peace and development”, the CDC leadership said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Delta State Government has expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Mr. Sunny Kotor, Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to the State Government.
Kotor, a renowned Master of Ceremony at state functions, reportedly slumped and passed away last Friday.
In a statement signed by the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, in Warri on Saturday, his passing was described as “a profound loss; not only to his family, but to the Government and people of Delta State who benefited immensely from his professionalism, composure, and unmistakable presence at official engagements.
“He brought dignity, structure, and excellence to every function he handled, leaving behind a standard that will be difficult to forget,” the statement added.
The Commissioner noted that “every passing is indeed a sobering reminder of how fragile and fleeting life can be,” extending heartfelt condolences to Kotor’s family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working with him.
The statement prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.
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