Politics
PDP’ll Restore Peace In Rivers -Party Stalwart
Irked by the current political crisis rocking Rivers State, a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Eleme Local Government Area, Sir Godwin Owaate, has assured that his party would soon restore peace and deliver even development to the State, as Governor Siminalayi Fubara is poised to run an all-inclusive government.
Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Sir Owaate urged all factions in the impasse to embrace peace for development to thrive, noting that of all the political parties that took part in the 2023 general elections, only the PDP could guarantee a peaceful atmosphere for good governance.
He emphasised that as the party that currently occupies Rivers ‘Brick House’, there was need for the PDP to be cohesive, arguing that only a peaceful political party can dispense quality governance with the interest of the masses in mind.
The ex-PDP boss expressed the hope that the Governor Fubara-led administration in the state will usher in a focused and vision-driven dispensation that will transform the state by executing development projects.
“What I am saying is that we as the good people of Rivers State have had enough of these crisis-ridden situations through our various political parties.
“I believe that the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains the appropriate administration that will take all of us to greater development pedestal through the demonstration of maturity and experience in governance that will meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people in the cities, rural communities, towns and villages across the state.
“Let us forget about internal wranglings that are generating news from court cases for the media, rather than making news about initiating laudable projects and commissioning of completed projects.
“The PDP will guarantee news from executing projects and not from court cases. I am sure that the choice of Sir Siminalayi Fubara as Governor is not a bad omen. I am also certain that the Governor will perform creditably well when we all join forces with him and the party to build an egalitarian state”, Sir Owaate stated.
He commended the zeal of the Governor to develop the rural areas abandoned by successive administrations, adding that once the rural communities of the state are fixed, the state’s economy would have been re-engineered and repositioned for the common good of the people.
The PDP stalwart pointed out that no fewer than 250,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are spread across the rural communities of the state, describing them as the engine room for the massive economic activities that could revolutionise the transformation of the rural communities and the state in general under the watch of Governor Fubara.
Concerning youths and violence, Sir Owaate admonished youths in Rivers State to be agents of peace and shun violence, noting that, “There is need for youths of the state to join hands with the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in his quest to develop them and the state, instead of allowing themselves to be used by desperate politicians and mischief-makers, who are bent on derailing the government from achieving set goals”.
“As youths, you need to promote peace, harmonious relationship with the government, because without peace, governance cannot thrive. Remember that as youths, you are critical stakeholders, this is why politicians use you to cause violence.
“Let me tell you that violence has no gain but destroys lives and property. You should be aware that this is a period for us to participate in the business of governance for the well-being of all of us”, Sir Owaate submitted.
Bethel Toby
Alhaji Mohammed Kasim, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has won the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Philip Akpeni, the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced the results on Sunday morning.
Alhaji Kasim polled 22,165 votes to defeat Alhaji Yahaya Shehu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 17,788 votes.
Alhaji Biko Umar of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) scored 1, 687 to come in third place.
“I am the returning officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Gwagwalada chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026,” Akpeni said.
“That Mohammed Kasim of PDP, having certified the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”
In the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, the APC candidate, was declared the winner of the chairmanship poll with 40,295 votes.
Andrew Abue, the Collation Officer for AMAC, said Hon. Maikalangu, who is the incumbent AMAC chairman, was returned elected having scored the highest number of votes cast.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) came second with 12,109 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 3,398 votes.
According to Abue, the total number of valid votes in the chairmanship poll was 62,861, while the total votes cast stood at 65,197.
He added that the number of registered voters in AMAC was 837,338, while the total number of accredited voters was 65,676.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mr. Joshua Ishaku of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Bwari Area Council Chairmanship election.
Announcing the result on Sunday in Bwari, the Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Mohammed Nurudeen, stated that Ishaku polled a total of 18,466 votes to emerge victorious in the February 21, 2026 poll.
“I am the Returning Officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Bwari chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026. That Joshua Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” Nurudeen said.
According to the results declared, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured 4,254 votes, while the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) polled 3,515 votes to place second and third respectively.
The declaration adds to the series of results emerging from the 2026 FCT Area Council elections, as political parties assess their performance ahead of future contests.
INEC UPLOADS 2,602 OF 2,822 FCT CHAIRMANSHIP RESULTS ON IReV
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had uploaded 2,602 out of the 2,822 expected polling unit results from Saturday’s chairmanship elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as at 5:55am on Sunday, data retrieved from its Result Viewing Portal (IReV) showed.
According to The Tide source, the figure represents an overall upload rate of about 92.2 per cent across the six area councils of the territory.
A council-by-council breakdown indicates that Municipal Area Council recorded the highest number of submissions in absolute terms, with 1,309 of 1,401 polling unit results uploaded, representing 93.43 per cent.
In Gwagwalada Area Council, 330 of the expected 338 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 97.63 per cent — the highest upload rate among the six councils.
In Bwari Area Council, INEC uploaded 463 of 485 polling unit results, translating to 95.46 per cent.
In Abaji Area Council, 129 of 135 polling unit results had been uploaded as at 5:55am, representing 95.56 per cent.
In Kwali Area Council, 164 of the expected 201 polling unit results were available on the portal, representing 81.59 per cent.
In Kuje Area Council, 207 of 262 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 79.01 per cent — the lowest rate among the six councils as at the time of review.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group described the swift assent as a clear demonstration of political will to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We see the decision by President Bola Tinubu to sign the reworked 2022 Electoral Act into law within a few hours of its passage as a demonstration of political will to ensure an improved electoral process which the new law envisages,” the group said.
The TMSG expressed confidence that the development would enable the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to quickly align its operations with the new provisions in preparation for the 2027 polls.
The group noted that the provision for electronic transmission of results had been contentious but described its codification in the law as a significant step forward.
“So, for the first time, the country’s electoral law would be recognising the use of the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the result viewing portal, IREV, which were just INEC guidelines in 2023,” it stated.
According to the TMSG, although the Act provides for electronic transmission of results from polling units to the IREV portal, it also makes room for manual transmission of Form EC8A result sheets as a backup in the event of technological failure.
“Unlike some Nigerians, we do not see anything wrong with the fallback plan but we agree with the President that no matter how beautiful a process is with improved technology, the onus lies on the people manning it to show good faith and ensure that the votes of the people really count at the end of the day,” the statement added.
The group highlighted other key provisions in the amended law, including the streamlining of party primaries to either consensus or direct primaries, early release of funds to INEC, reinforced measures against over-voting, and stiffer sanctions for electoral offences such as falsification of results.
It also pointed out that the mandatory notice period for elections has been reduced from 360 days to 300 days, giving INEC more flexibility in adjusting the timetable for the 2027 elections, especially where it may clash with Ramadan.
The TMSG further observed that the President’s decision to sign the bill days before the forthcoming Area Council Election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) underscores his desire for the law to take immediate effect.
“And by signing the amendment bill a few days before the Area Council Election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it is obvious that the President is keen on ensuring that the 2026 Electoral Act takes immediate effect.
“Nigerians would also have an opportunity to see some of the key provisions of the new electoral law become operational, especially the electronic transmission of results,” it said.
The group expressed optimism that the current INEC leadership would leverage the new legal framework to deliver a more credible and widely acceptable electioneering process than in previous electoral cycles.
-
Maritime1 day ago
Customs Declares War Against Narcotics Baron At Idiroko Border
-
Sports1 day agoGombe-Gara Rejects Chelle $130,000 monthly salary
-
Maritime1 day ago
Nigeria To Pilot Regional Fishing Vessels Register In Gulf Of Guinea —Oyetola
-
Maritime1 day ago
NIMASA,NAF Boost Unmanned Aerial Surveillance For Maritime Security
-
Maritime1 day ago
NIWA Collaborates ICPC TO Strengthen Integrity, Revenue
-
Sports1 day agoTEAM RIVERS SET TO WIN 4×400 ” MORROW” …Wins Triple jump Silver
-
Sports1 day agoNSC eyes international hosting rights
-
City Crime1 day ago
NCSU Hails Fubara Over 2025 New Telegraph Man Of The Year Award