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Oct 5 LG Polls Sacrosanct, Fubara Declares
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the October 5 Local Government election in the State is sacrosanct, saying no amount of propaganda will stop the election.
He said his conviction stems from the Supreme Court judgment that all states in the federation should have democratically elected local government executives, Mr. President’s 90 days window to states to comply with the Supreme Court ruling, and the substantive judgment by the Rivers State High Court that mandates the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct the election.
Governor Fubara made the declaration when members of the Rivers State Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) led by its Chairman, Solsuema Osaro paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The Governor, who expressed concern why people who earlier ascribed to the fact that parties are only a vehicle that convey people to positions of leadership and boosted to win all elective positions in the 23 local government areas if elections are conducted, are now scared to participate in the slated polls.
He assured that any attempt by anybody or group of people to disrupt the democratic process that is genuinely pursued in the State will be fought by the gods of the land.
“I am really happy that the Chairman, IPAC has said a few things. But, the records need to be properly presented to the public. There is no going back on the election come the 5th of October. There is no amount of propaganda, be it from the Judiciary end, be it from the law enforcement end …, that election would hold.
“What is the reason: first the Supreme Court has ruled that every state must migrate to elected local government executives. Among the states affected, 10 of these states have already held their elections, and if I am not mistaken, I stand to be corrected. They used the 2023 voters register. Outside that, Mr. President, after the Supreme Court ruling, gave a window of 90 days when we went as governors to meet him, ensure that all the processes are completed.
“The issue of the court cases here and there, I can tell you, it is not an issue to stop the election. There is a substantive judgment giving the RSIEC all powers to ensure that election holds. And we are standing by that judgment to support RSIEC for the election.
“Also, I don’t know why people are scared. I used to hear them say before that party is just a vehicle. If party is just a vehicle, and today, not even my party, other parties are contesting election, and I try to be a referee, why are they restless. If you feel you are strong, through your heart into the ring. Why do you need to stop the process? Does it show any sign of sportsmanship? Does it show any sign that you love this State? A situation where this State will be the State that will be suspended, the activities of the civil servants will be suspended, local government workers will not earn their salaries again because you want to prove that you have some dirty power?”
“So, don’t be scared when you hear one party factional chairman will just sit somewhere and announce that he will not be part of the election for whatever reason. Even that factional chairman, some months ago was bragging, saying: what is the reason holding the Governor from conducting the election? That if he comes and conducts this election, he is going to win all the 23 local government areas.
“This world is so beautiful today. What we say here, the record will be there for the world to see. Bring that video and send it to him when he said the 23 local governments he is going to win. So, what has changed? We are conducting election now, you are the same person going to cry, you don’t want to participate in the election?
“So, any attempt by anybody or group of people to see that this process is disrupted, I can assure you, the gods of this land, what we stand for as a people who are fighting for genuine democracy will fight for us.”
Governor Fubara hinted of intelligence that mercenaries have been engaged within and outside the State to obstruct the elections, warning that such mercenaries will be adequately resisted.
The Governor assured that with God on the side of the State, and necessary information provided to relevant authorities involved in the election, the election will hold, results declared and elected officers sworn-in to discharge their responsibilities to the people at the grassroots.
He said, “I will also mention here: we are also aware that some mercenaries are being engaged within and outside the State. I feel sorry for whoever is going to be a victim of such thing. Because I know anybody who comes to obstruct this election will meet adequate and right resistance. It’s important that we defend this democracy, and we must start defending this democracy from the one that we have control over.
“But whichever way, I can assure you, God on our side, with the information we have given to the security agencies, the information we have given to all the authorities that are concerned, and are also needed in cause of this process, this election will hold, results will be declared, and the elected officers will be inaugurated, and a new government will commence as soon as possible.”
He assured to make the election process free and fair, and protect lives and property in the course of the election.
He added, “I can assure you, we took an oath before everyone of you. I swore before everyone that I will defend and protect the interest of Rivers State. And this particular responsibility, ensuring that this election holds is one of those responsibilities.
“You have all prepared for the election. We are going to make sure the process will be free and fair. As the umpire, we will also ensure that lives and property will be protected in the course of the election. What we request from you is go and perform your civic responsibility. Vote, support the candidates of your choice. Ensure that we take control of the democracy of our State. Ensure that you vote for the protection of lives and property of the people of this State. The State starts from the ward to the LGA, and from the LGA to the State. So, I want this State to be protected right from the point of the ward.
“You have my total support. I will ensure as the Governor and the Head of this Government, that we do all that is required, all that is needed to make sure that this process is driven to the end.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Rivers State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Solsuema Osaro, reiterated their position to participate in the election as well as support the government to drive the process to logical conclusion.
Osaro noted the plans by some persons to stall the electoral process and the court judgments warranting RSIEC to conduct the elections, promising to stand by RSIEC to conduct free, fair and transparent election that will stand the test of time in the nation.
He added, “Your Excellency, it is at a moment like this in the history of our State that patriotism is well defined. The members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Rivers State Council, have come in here today to visit you and to assure you that because of all the empirical activities and people- oriented programmes you have established, you’ve embarked upon, you are doing in Rivers State, and especially because of the most important election that affects the generality of the people in the State, the grassroots people, the election that has to do with the conduct and exercise that will bring in elected local government chairmen and councillors across the 23 LGAs and the 319 wards in Rivers State, that informed why we have come to see you, Your Excellency.
“It is true that some persons have attempted and are tempting to disrupt the entire exercise, but we have come to show you that we are standing tall with you in your quest to give us elected local government chairmen and councillors in Rivers State.
“We are well informed of the fact that some persons went to court to stop INEC from giving RSIEC the necessary voters register to conduct this election that is slated for 5th of October, 2024. We also are very much aware too that a competent court of jurisdiction sitting here in Rivers State has also given RSIEC the authority, the mandate to conduct this election, and has also mandated RSIEC to use the 2023 voters register to conduct this election in Rivers State.
“As the pillars of democracy, as the vehicles through which elected officers are driven into various positions, the political parties have arisen to say that we stand in solidarity with the desire of the state government and that of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct free, fair, transparent election in Rivers State that will stand Rivers State out in the comity of nations as a model state.
“We are quite aware that on the 11th of July, 2024, the highest court of the land, being the Supreme Court of Nigeria, gave a judgment that is to the fact that every state in Nigeria must have elected local government officials in the country. This Rivers State is not an exception. We are, therefore, standing on the judgment of the Supreme Court as well as the judgment delivered by Justice I. P. C. Igwe of the Rivers State High Court to say that the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), our members are prepared, are ready, willing to participate in this election.
“As patriotic citizens of Rivers State, we know all you have done and all you are doing to ensure that we have good governance in Rivers State, and if at this point in time, some detractors don’t want us to succeed, we have made it very clear that all of us that believe in the ideals of good Rivers State, purposeful leadership-driven Rivers State under your administration, we stand tall with you to ensure that we succeed.”
According to him, “The success of this election is to the benefit of Rivers people. The success of this election will allow Rivers people have the government at the grassroots that will empower the people, and whoever intends through covert or covert means, to stop this democratic process that is very important to Rivers people, we have arisen in one voice, one strength, one energy, to say we will stand for an ideal Rivers State were local government election will be conducted and elected officers will emerge through free, fair and transparent election that once again stand Rivers State out as a model state in Nigeria,” he added.
Eighteen out of the 19 registered political parties were represented at the meeting, including AA, AAC, ACCORD, ADC, ADP, APGA, APC, BOOT, LP, NCP, NNPP, APM, NRM, PRP, SDP, YP, YPP, and ZLP.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.