News
Rivers Re-Run Polls To Hold Feb 6
Rivers State Head of Service, Rufus Godwins (Esq), leading civil servants on a congratulatory visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday to felicitate with Governor Nyesom Wike over his victory at the Supreme Court. Photo: Chris Monyanaga
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has fixed the re run elections in Rivers State for next week Saturday.
The outgoing Resident Electoral Commissioner, Rivers State, Dame Gesila Khan who disclosed this while interacting with political leaders in Rivers State, said the re-run elections will be conducted for 37 elective positions in the state.
Khan, who also used the occasion to initimate stakeholders of her transfer ahead of the re-run elections, said the re-run elections will be conducted for 22 House of Assembly seats, 12 House of Representatives and three Senate seats
The former State REC said only registered voters for the 2015 general elections will be allowed to vote, adding that the number of registered voters is 2,148,289.
She also said a total of 6,806 card readers will be deployed for the re-run elections, adding that political parties should not hesitate to come to the office of the electoral body for clarifications on any issue relating to the elections.
Meantime, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and other parties (except the APC ) in the state have expressed dissatisfaction with the February 6 date for the re-run elections, saying the time was not enough for parties to prepare adequately for the exercise.
State Chairman of the PDP, Bro Felix Obuah, who spoke under the aegis of Inter- Party Advisory Council,of Nigeria , (IPAC) said from yesterday when they announced the date for the re-run elections and the day of the exercise, was too close for serious campaign.
He accused the leadership of INEC of conniving with the APC to rig the elections,
His words, “ this is a proof of some allegations that there was a grand conspiracy between INEC and the APC . It had never been done that only one week notice will be given for election. We have not started our campaign, only informing us that election is coming up in less than one week. “, he said,
He called on INEC to revisit the date for the election, adding that the parties had not even inspected materials for the election
“That date must be revisited. We have to discuss it. We are aware of,plans by your office and the APC to recruit ad-hoc staff for the election, which we reject. When can we inspect all these materials,from today is only eight days to the election. This is the view of IPAC. We don’t want people to come and create problem in our state. IPAC will partner with INEC to make sure the election is done peacefully.”, he said.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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