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Okeke Calls For Presidential Run-Off Election …Faults Primary School Certificate For Presidency

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9 months ago

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A lecturer with the Federal University, Otueke, Bayelsa State, Prof Okechukwu Edward Okeke, has advocated for a constitutional provision for the conduct of run-off elections in situations where the President did not win the majority votes of the people in an election.
Prof. Okeke made the suggestion recently in a keynote lecture delivered at an annual conference of the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE) in Port Harcourt.
In the lecture titled, “Leadership, Security and National Development”, Okeke said the criteria in which the winner of the presidential election in the country emerges by a simple majority does not command the respect of the people.
He advocated for a constitutional provision to allow for a run-off election to ensure that the President of the country has the majority mandate and popular votes of the people.
According to him, a situation where the incumbent, President, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu was declared winner by just 37percent of the voting populations, puts his legitimacy in doubt and may not command the respect and obedience of the people.
He, therefore, called for a constitution amendment to allow for run-off election in order to strengthen the legitamacy of the President of the country.
“The President’s authority can be challenged, but if he has the majority votes, he can always get the needed support of the people.
“We need to strengthen the legitimacy and authority of the President by conducting run-off elections between the leading candidate and the runners-up in an election to ensure that the winner obtained the popular and majority mandate of the people”, Prof.Okeke stated.
The lecturer also called for a review of the adoption of just a primary school certificate as the educational qualification for the Nigerian Presidential candidates and other contestants in elections in the country.
According to him, the country and the world has advanced in education and technological transformation, expressing the need for the adoption of higher qualifications to qualify candidates to run an election to the office of the President, Governor and National Assembly of Nigeria.
Prof Okeke harped on the inevitable need to also review the age limits for presidential and governorship aspirants in the country’s elections, suggesting that all those above the 75 years age mark should not be allowed to run for the office of the President and Governor in Nigeria.
The university teacher also frowned at a situation where the issues of rotational presidency is only at the whims and caprices of political parties, expressing the need for rotational presidency to be entrenched in the democratic Constitution of the country to ensure traditional compliance by all political parties’ primaries and other relevant way of constituting legal government in the country.
He recalled that under Sani Abacha’s regime in1995, there was a constitutional amendment with a provision for rotational presidency, and expressed regrets as to why the 1999 Constitution did not capture it.
He further explained that “The state of origin of the President or the Governor matters a lot under the Nigerian setting.
“For power rotation to be effective, both the President and his Vice should be chosen from the same zone. It will remove the fears of another zone taking over the slot in the case of the death in office of an incumbent President of Nigeria or the Governor of a State.
“The idea of balancing of ticket by political parties during selections of candidates for the office of President and Governors is a threat to the nation’s democracy, especially by zoning the office of the President and Vice President to difference zones.
“It happened in 2010 when President Yara Adua passed on and his Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan, took over and even contested for another term in office to the detriment of the North.
“That, to an extent, threatened the political stability of Nigeria. So, I’m advising that parties should get somebody from the same zone as the running mate to the President or Governor so that if the incumbent dies in office or is found wanting by impeachment or resignation, the next person from the same area will assume the position as it is done in parliamentary democracies”, the Prof. stated.
On security, the lecturer restated his support for the decentralization of the Nigerian Police to allow for State Policing model, emphasising that there is a consensus among the state Governors for state-owned police organization.
He, therefore, called on National Assembly to expedite actions on the amendment to the constitution to allow for States’ participation in the security of the nation.

Enoch Epelle

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Rivers

Fasthire, PHCCIMA, CIPM Host CareerFest 2026 In PH

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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Fasthire Services, in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Rivers State Chapter, is set to organise a two-day career development and job creation event in Port Harcourt, from February 27-28, 2026.
The event, known as “Fasthire CareerFest 2026”, is expected to attract over 1,000 job opportunities, with employers actively recruiting across various sectors.
CareerFest 2026 is designed to be a high-impact platform that goes beyond a traditional job fair, and will also feature career exhibitions and professional guidance sessions, aimed at helping participants navigate career pathways, professional development, and long-term career planning.
There will be virtual sessions and industry conversations on February 27, and physical conference and job fair in Port Harcourt on February 28.
The hybrid event will feature three core components career and Industry Conference – keynote sessions, panel discussions, and fireside chats with HR leaders, business executives, policymakers, and industry experts.
The organisers said CareerFest 2026 is open to students, fresh graduates, job seekers, professionals, recruiters, business leaders, and anyone seeking career clarity, growth, or new opportunities.
They called on members of the public, employers who have vacancies and want to recruit, and professionals to register and participate in what is positioned as one of the most impactful career and employment-focused events in the South-South region.
The vision for CareerFest was originally conceived by Fasthire Services and has since received strong buy-in and strategic support from PHCCIMA and CIPM Rivers, reflecting a shared commitment to workforce development, youth empowerment, and sustainable employment.
Other strategic partners supporting the event include NTA, 3MTT, Google Developer Group (GDG) Port Harcourt, SMFest, and other companies and organisations that are committed to skills development, innovation, and employment creation.
With strong institutional backing, a clear employment focus, and a growing network of partners, Fasthire CareerFest 2026 is positioned to play a meaningful role in shaping careers, strengthening the workforce, and driving inclusive economic growth in Rivers State and beyond.
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Rivers

Police Raise Alarm Over Rise In Officers’ Impersonation 

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Rivers State Police Command has raised the alarm over a disturbing rise in criminal activities involving individuals impersonating police officers and extorting members of the public across the state.
The Command described the trend as a serious threat to public safety and trust, urging residents to remain vigilant and security-conscious at all times.
In a press release by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, in Port Harcourt, the Police said the suspects allegedly operate by dressing in black outfits and posing as law enforcement officers while setting up illegal checkpoints to harass and intimidate unsuspecting citizens.
According to the release, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, also expressed  concern over the development and assured the public that decisive steps have been taken to curb the menace.
He said a robust monitoring and intelligence mechanism has been activated to identify, apprehend and prosecute those behind the criminal acts.
Police authorities noted that the actions of these impostors not only amount to extortion and impersonation, but also undermine the credibility of legitimate security operations within the state.
The Command warned that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
The statement further clarified that no police officer or security agent has the legal authority to stop citizens on the road or at checkpoints to search their mobile phones, laptops or other personal electronic devices.
Such actions, the Police said, are unlawful and should be resisted through proper reporting channels.
Residents were also cautioned against complying with demands to accompany any individual to a Point of Sale (POS) operator, bank or other financial outlet for the purpose of withdrawing or transferring money, as this is a common tactic employed by the criminals.
The Police Command also called on members of the public to be alert and to take note of their surroundings, especially when confronted by suspicious persons or hostile checkpoints that do not follow established policing procedures.
To strengthen community participation in tackling the problem, the Command provided several emergency contact numbers for immediate reporting of suspicious activities.
The numbers include the Complaint Response Unit hotlines: 07057605256, 08120822987 and 09035774814.
Additional contact lines include the Police Public Relations Officer on 09014273818 and the Command’s Control Room on 08032003514, all of which are available for prompt response to distress calls.
Security analysts have observed that impersonation of law enforcement officers has become a recurring challenge in urban centres, often thriving where public awareness is low.
They stress that timely reporting by citizens is critical in dismantling such criminal networks.
The State Police Command reassured residents of its unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order and protecting lives and property across the state.
It also appealed to the public to continue supporting legitimate police operations with credible information.
The statement further emphasized that cooperation between the Police and the public remains essential to ensuring a safe and secure Rivers State.
By: King Onunwor
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Rivers

Fubara Restates Continued Support For NYSC In Rivers

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in the state.
He gave the assurance during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch A Stream I corps members on Friday at the Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area of the state.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Benibo Anabraba, the Governor emphasised that no nation could develop or attain greatness without harnessing the potential of its youths, who are the leaders of tomorrow.
He assured the corps members that the ongoing renovation and upgrade of facilities at the camp would soon be completed.
The State Governor also stated that new infrastructure would be constructed to accommodate the increasing number of corps members deployed to the state.
The NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Moses Oleghe, thanked the Governor for constructing a 1,000-capacity hostel accommodation for both male and female corps members at the camp.
Oleghe announced that a total of 2,638 corps members, comprising 1,007 males and 1,631 females, had completed their registration, while more than 300 corps members were yet to register.
The oath of office was administered by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Chibuzor Amadi, who was represented by another judge, Justice Chika Mini.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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