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Re-Run Elections: Voters Resist apc, Security Agents’ Rigging Ploy

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There were massive voters resistance to ploy by the opposition, All Progressives Congress(APC) in collaboration with security agents to rig last Saturday’s legislative rerun elections across the state.

The Tide monitoring team that visited Eleme and Ogu/Bolo Local Government Areas indicated that despite low voters turn out, the people resisted plans to upturn election results in most of the polling units by armed security agents working for the APC.

As at 12.10 pm on Saturday when the Senatoral candidate for the Rivers South-East, Senator Olaka Wogu voted in Ward 1 unit3 Eleme, there were reports of hijack of materials at the different polling stations in Eleme except for the intervention of the British Commission Monitoring Team. Before then, electoral materials were hijacked at Ward 8, Aleto Ward 10 and Eteo Ward 6.

In Ogu/Bolo, electoral materials were hijacked at Ward 9 and Unit 3 and attempts were made to remove ballot materials at Ward 7 in Bolo save for the resistance by the voters in the area.

Senator Wogu after voting decried the action of Nigeria military for openly displaying partisanship saying, “ they have desecrated the principle of the Nigerian military and constitution.”

Wogu said despite the development he was sure of victory adding that, “ Eleme is my strong point and from feelers am getting from other local government areas there is no cause for alarm.

He however condemned the delay by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to distribute electoral materials to Akpajo as he blamed soldiers for intercepting smooth distribution of materials to various units in Eleme and some parts of Ogoni.

Also corroborating Senator Olaka’s view, House of Assembly candidate for the PDP in Eleme, Hon. Isaac Kamalu condemned the highhandedness of security officials.

He disclosed that attempts were made to cart away ballot materials at Alode area but were resisted by voters, as he expressed sadness over the role of security men,” the essence of democracy has been eroded by the way and manner the military conducted themselves in this elections.”

Kamalu expressed hope that PDP will win if the results were reflected as they were. He however lamented the manhandling of the party’s chairman, Barrister Phillip Okparaji at the collation centre. He said

Okparaji was barred from entering the collation centre but the people resisted.

On his part, Senatorial candidate for Rivers East, Senator Thompson Sekibo accused APC for using security men to snatch ballot materials in parts of Etche, “ we are winning but the APC came with some security men in Etche to cart away materials.”

Senator Sekibo observed that the biggest flaw was the ‘bogus security arrangement” which has vindicated Governor Wike’s alarm earlier that APC wanted to use security agencies to rig the election.

The Senator said his party will not accept any result that does not eflect what is on ground. He nonetheless commended INEC for prompt distribution of materials in the area.

Later in the afternoon at Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government, the Whip of the State Assembly, Hon. Evans Bipi and Sports Commissioner, Hon. Boma Iyaye were chased away from the collation centre by soldiers.

Also, Special Assistance to the Governor on Inter Party Matters, Barrister Chris Itamunola and other party big wigs were barred from entering Ogu Town.

Barrister Itamunola told newsmen that, “ not withstanding all their boasts, the PDP  has coasted to victory in Ogu/Bolo.”

He said members of the party and voters were able to resist attempts by the APC and some security men to remove ballot materials at Units 11 and 4 in Ward 7 and results were later declared.

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Delta CP Seeks More Support From Traditional Institutions 

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The Commissioner of Police (CP) Delta State Command, Mr. Yemi Oyeniyi, has urged traditional institutions to continue to support law enforcement in the country.
Oyeniyi gave the advice on Tuesday at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner, who was on a familiarisation tour of police formations across the state, including the Effurun area command, solicited  continued partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence.
He commended the Ovie of Uvwie for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, and community development.
“I acknowledge the invaluable role of traditional institutions in supporting law enforcement in the country.
“I equally solicit continuous partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence among the people”, he said.
In his remarks, the Ovie of Uvwie, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage to the domain.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the people to supporting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
The royal father urged his subjects to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by way of providing timely and credible information.
The Commissioner, thereafter, proceeded to perform the groundbreaking of the Effurun area command at the instance of the Insp.-Gen. of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu.
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IAUE Senate Approves Leadership, Language Center Establishment 

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The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has approved the establishment of a University Leadership Assessment Centre as proposed by Professor Veronica Okogbaa of the Department of Educational Management.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, said the centre will, among other things, identify and develop high potential skilled leaders and talents.
It will also evaluate participants through multi dimensional approach rather than rely on subjective perceptions, indulge in leadership trainings, and generate income from services with succession planning.
Similarly, Senate also approved the establishment of a centre for languages, digital Humanities and intercultural studies as proposed by the Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako.
The proposed centre, according to he statement, will have seven units namely language teaching unit, where French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Rivers State indigenous languages will be taught.
It will also have Translation and interpretation unit, indigenous languages documentation unit, Digital Humanities Laboratory, Artificial intelligence and language teaching unit, professional certification unit, as well as Research and Publication unit..
The statement quoted the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ken-Maduako, the centre will offer certificate in language proficiency for beginners, intermediate, advanced Diploma programme, translation and interpretation courses, Digital Humanities certification programme, Artificial intelligence and language technology workshops, online and Hybrid learning programmes, weekend and evening public classes, indigenous languages documentation training and Business and professional communication courses.
Professor Ken-Maduako firther said the center “will increase visibility of the University nationally and internationally, generate sustainable internally generated revenue, increase opportunities for grants and donor funded projects, enhance interdisciplinary research output, promote cultural preservation and community engagement, strengthen the University”s  profile in innovation and digital transformation, attract research collaboration and international partnerships, and improve graduate employability and digital competence.”
In his speech, the Chairman of Senate and Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, encouraged sponsors of the centre to source for funds for the take off of the centre.
He explained that Directors will be appointed for the self-sponsored centres and reiterated that his administration will continue to support all proposals geared towards the growth of the University as long as they are consistent with the academic brief of the Ivory Tower.
Earlier, Professor Samuel Otamiri commended Professor Veronica Okogbaa for the proposed centre which, he said, is a remarkable development, amd described it as a robust programme that would attract the necessary patronage .
In another development, the Senate welcomed a suggestion by Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi that Valedictory Senate sessions be introduced and held for retired Professors.
Results from the Postgraduate School as presented by the Dean of the School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, was approved by Senate.
Senate also approved that presented by the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Professor Goddey Wilson, and that of the Graduate School of Business by Dr. Florence Ironawusi.
Sogbeba Dokubo
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Group Tasks School Proprietors, Parents On Early Preparation 

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The National President, Forum of Inclusive Educators and Readers (FIER), Mr. Onyeka Innocent, has admonished school owners and parents alike to learn how to prepare their children/wards ahead time in order to beat challenges irrespective of the angle they may spring up from.
Innocent made this known at the Forum’s meeting held partly in honour of the Spelling B, 2025 winners, in Port Harcourt.
“Soldiers are not trained during war, rather, they are trained and kept in the Barracks, waiting for war”, he said.
He said students must be provided with the necessary educational tools capable of boosting their academic pursuit.
According to him, proprietors of schools must conform with the Government’s authorities and guidance if they are determined to succeed in the project.
Another solution to educational management, he said, is the availability of Education Committees in schools, saying that it will improve the quality of its learning process.
Though he did not rule out decay in the society, he said there are few that still hold fast to determination and sincerity.
The FIER leader said his association was one of the bodies with the zeal to right wrongs in the society, especially in the Education sector.
He noted that his group was also prepared to reduce the number of out-of-school children by ensuring that education was taken to all parts of the Country.
On registration of private schools as directed by the State Government, he said his members are in compliance and assured of a cordial relationship between the Government and his Association.
Meanwhile, the winners of the Competition were Master Fredrick Jeffrey of Daisy Dan School, who emerged first; Badubulachi Maryan of Fertile Vineyard Academy, 2nd; and Itode Samuel of Baridoo Sam Joel School, 3rd.
They winners where rewarded with cash prices of N100,000, N50,000 and N30, 000 respectively.
King Onunwor
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