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Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Polls: CDS, IG Read Riot Act
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, have warned those planning to disrupt the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi to stay clear of the three states.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting in Abuja, Musa urged the residents of Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states not to entertain any fear.
Musa pledged that the Armed Forces would provide full support to the police in ensuring that the elections were free and fair.
“The Armed Forces, the police, and other security agencies would be on the ground. Every Nigerian, we are sure, is tired of elections with violence and this will try to make a difference.
“We want at the end of the day, every Nigerian should be proud of, first to be a Nigerian and to understand that elections are now free and fair.
“We want everybody who wins our elections to be happy that he won very well without any intimidation,’’ he said.
The army chief said that a warning had already been sent to security personnel to be deployed for the elections that whoever misbehaved during the elections would face the consequence.
Musa advised that the presence of security agencies in the three states should not scare anybody, but those with plans to disrupt the election.
Also speaking, the IG, Egbetokun, said there would be no room for those planning to perpetrate trouble or violence in the states to operate.
”We are aware of negative mobilisations by some supporters of some candidates and we are already monitoring them. We are ready for them for these elections. I appeal to them to stay away from this election.
“I also appeal to the electorate to come out en masse to cast their votes during this election. We are committed to peaceful elections and no going back,’’ he said.
He said that the security agencies were ready and committed to making the off-cycle elections free and fair.
“We have received all necessary information from INEC which has informed us on where to deploy during these elections.
“We have carried out a threat assessment and that has informed us concerning the allocation of our resources and the deployment of our men.
“All the security agencies are collaborating strongly to ensure that these elections are violence-free,’’ he said.
He assured that accredited journalists for the election would be protected in the cause of carrying out their duties,’’ Egbetokun said.
The IG also shed more light on why the police planned to hold its annual retreat in Imo, saying the choice of the state was deliberate.
“Our choice of Owerri is deliberate. It is deliberate because of this election. We want to send a message to the people of Imo that the state is free for this election.
“We want to encourage the voters to come out en masse to take part in this election.
“We are deploying massively for Imo to make sure that the election in the state is free and fair and hitch-free,’’ Egbetokun said
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene