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Sekibo, Ideozu Win Senatorial Polls …As PDP, Others Reject Abe’s Declaration …Urges INEC To Release Other Results
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the immediate release of the results of last Saturday’s elections in Rivers State, saying that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was withholding the results in order to allow the All Progressives Congress (APC) manipulate the results.
In a statement issued in Abuja, before midday, yesterday, the spokesman of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said the party was in possession of all the results as announced at the polling units and it was clear that the PDP had won.
The party also rejected the declaration of Senator Magnus Abe as the winner of Rivers South East Senatorial District, saying, no election was held in the area.
“The only result that has been released which declared Magnus Abe of the APC winner, is an unprecedented massive manipulation of the electoral process in active connivance with the security agencies. The whole world knows that elections did not take place in the Rivers South East Senatorial District.
“We, therefore, reject the declaration of Magnus Abe with the fabricated results, and demand INEC to conduct election in that constituency. We promise to avail ourselves every opportunity to seek redress on this matter in the interest of democracy and that of the constituents who are denied their right to vote” the statement noted.
Making further clarification on results still being awaited, Adeyeye said they include those of Rivers West and East Senatorial Districts, Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency and Andoni State House of Assembly Constituency.
“We have the results declared at the various polling units which show that, Senator George Abiye Sekibo of the PDP won the Rivers East Senatorial District while Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu also of the PDP won the Rivers West Senatorial District, respectively.
“Equally, we make bold to state that Hon. Abiante and Ikunyi Ibani both of the PDP won their respective elections into Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency and Andoni State Constituency, respectively.
“INEC is currently withholding these results in cohort with security agencies to pave way for the APC to manipulate the outcome of the elections. We urge INEC to immediately release the affected results intact.
“Anything short of this is unacceptable and the INEC, security agencies and the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi should be held responsible in whatever manner the people of Rivers State decide to react for robbing them of their votes.
“We again condemn in totality, the adverse role of the Nigerian Army, the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other security agencies during this rerun elections in Rivers State. It was a nightmare and a complete reversal of their constitutional mandates of safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country and the protection of lives and properties.
“There are incontrovertible evidences that the security agencies worked for the APC against the interest of the Rivers people. They followed the directives of the APC Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun and Governor Ganduje of Kano State during the mega rally of the APC.
“They killed, they maimed, they harassed all in the desperate need to help the APC win at all cost. Very sad!
“It is trite that the Army dishonourably left their primary assignments and worked assiduously with INEC in collusion with the APC leaders in Rivers State led by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and mindlessly wrote the results that produced Senator Magnus Abe in Rivers South-East Senatorial District. This action depicts sheer rape on democracy.
“It is no gainsaying that this rerun elections in Rivers State was not only a contest between political parties but mostly the PDP in contest with the Army, the Police, the INEC, the APC, and the Federal Government of Nigeria represented by the Honourable Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and cohorts.
“We, therefore, call on all Nigerians to rise up to this challenge and stop the Federal Government, the APC and INEC from organizing undemocratic elections as witnessed in most part of Rivers State and other previous elections in the country since the assumption of this government. If Nigerian elections travesty continues, it is goodnight to democracy”, the statement noted.
But shortly after the statement, INEC declared the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator George Sekibo, winner of the Rivers East Senatorial District seat contested in the December 10th rerun elections.
INEC stated that Sekibo defeated his rival, Chief Andrew Uchendu of the All Progressives Congress, to claim the seat.
The returning officer for the senatorial district, Orji Onu Okumenkama, said Sekibo polled 93,098 votes to defeat Uchendu who scored 34,193 votes.
Sekibo’s victory was followed by a protest by APC leaders in the state, who maintained that they would not accept the result.
There was commotion at the Port Harcourt Local Government Secretariat before the result was announced as security agents shot sporadically into the air.
It was gathered that a PDP collation agent, who is the state Commissioner for Urban Development, Chinyere Igwe, was arrested at the secretariat by the police.
INEC also declared Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu of the PDP as winner the Rivers West Senatorial District rerun election.
Ideozu was certified winner yesterday afternoon with 107,166 votes to defeat Otelemaba Amachree of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 48,898 votes.
With the development, PDP now has two senatorial districts – Rivers East and West.
Rivers West Senator-elect, Ideozu, was a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, representing Ahoada West between 1999 and 2003.
Afterwards, between 2003 and 2007, he represented Abua-Odual/Ahoada East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives before his appointment as commissioner for education.
Earlier, Senator Magnus Abe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had been declared winner of the Rivers South East Senatorial District rerun election.
He was on Sunday night declared winner after Saturday’s rerun by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
The senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers South-East, Senator Magnus Abe, has won the legislative rerun election in his senatorial District.
The Returning Officer, Prof. Gideon Onukwuisi, declared Abe winner on Sunday after announcing the result at the collation centre in Bori, Khana Local Government Area.
Abe polled 125,938 votes to beat his opponent from the Peoples Democratic Party, Olaka Wogu, who got 25,394 votes.
Onukwuisi explained that out of the 154,703 votes cast, 152,706 votes were valid while 2,627 votes were invalid.
Dedicating his victory at the poll to God, Abe, who later addressed journalists, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the election.
The senator-elect also expressed gratitude to his party supporters for having confidence in him and pledged to give them a better representation.
Also, a House of Representatives candidate of the APC for Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, Maurice Pronem, was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Pronem won the election with 68,219 votes to beat his closest rival, Dumnamene Deekor, who polled 20,329 votes.
The Returning Officer, Prof. G.G. Osuagwu, stated that out of the 91,533 total votes cast, 90,485 came out valid while 1,048 were rejected.
Friday Nkeeh has been declared winner of the Rivers State House of Assembly seat for Khana Constituency 2.
Nkeeh polled 15,000 votes to defeat Dinebari Loolo of the PDP who scored 4,000 votes.
For House of Representatives, Maurice Pronen of the APC scored 68,219 votes while Dum Deekor of the PDP scored 20,329 votes for Khana/Gokana constituency.
Prof. G.G Osuagu of Michael Opara University is the returning officer for Khana Local Government.
Dr. Innocent Barikor of the APC has been declared winner of the election with 24,624 votes in Gokana State Constituency.
Also, Dr. Barry Mpigi of the APC declared winner of Tai/Oyigbo/Eleme Federal Constituency. Mpigi won with 48,760 votes while his opponent, Jacobson Nbina of the PDP polled 11,737 votes.
A PDP candidate for Bonny State Constituency, Abiye Pepple, was declared the winner of the election with 6,610 votes to beat the APC candidate, Henry Amangi, who got 2,330 votes.
In Omuma LGA, PDP won in the House of Representatives election with 6,100 votes while the APC came second with 3,100. For the Senate, the PDP polled 6,000 while the APC had 3,050.
But in Rivers East Senatorial District, the results released in six local government areas indicated that PDP won in Etche, Obio/Akpor, Ogu/Bolo, Okrika, Omuma and Port Harcourt.
The results from Andoni, Eleme, Emohua and Ikwerre local government areas were still being expected as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State says it vehemently rejects the results as announced by the presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaring APC candidates, Magnus Abe, Barry Mpigi, Friday Nke-Ee, Innocent Barikor and others, winners of their respective offices in Rivers South East Senatorial District.
A statement by the state Chairman of the party, Bro. Felix Obuah and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, said the rejection of the results stems from the fact that election never took place in the whole of the Rivers South East District.
The PDP challenged the APC, INEC, Army, Police or other security agencies to show proof that there was election in the zone, adding that whoever lays claim to results in the area or claims that election took place was a criminal.
Obuah explained that what happened on Saturday, December 10, 2016 was nothing short of war declared on the people of the Rivers South East by Magnus Abe, Barry Mpigi, Army, SARS, policemen and APC thugs dressed in Army uniform.
The state PDP chairman further added that what happened on the Saturday rerun election was like scenes from a classical movie where military might was brazenly deployed to over-run a hapless and defenseless people.
The PDP said the situation became most unfortunate when it recalled the series of outcry raised by the party on Saturday on the unwholesome activities of some chieftains of the APC in Ogoni including Executive Director Finance/Administration of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Derrick Mene, who connived with the INEC, military, SARS and APC thugs to hijack the process, regretting that these outcries fell on deaf ears as the same INEC, police and military, who were expected to arrest the situation turned blind eye.
Painfully retrospecting on the events of last Saturday, Obuah said the PDP had raised alarm over the invasion of some communities in Tai Local Government Area of the State by the combined forces of the army, police and scores of identifiable thugs imported by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He lamented the arrest of over 200 innocent citizens while scores were shot at and one killed by the army allegedly sponsored by Barry Mpigi, candidate of the APC for Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo Federal Constituency.
Obuah also recalled that in Barako, Gokana LGA, army invaded the community on the orders of the Senatorial candidate of the APC for Rivers South East, Magnus Abe, and whisked away scores of persons including one Chief Awindi Dughor, a chieftain of the PDP to an unknown destination.
Another disturbing case, according to the PDP, was that of the Director of Finance and Administration of the NDDC, Derrick Mene, who with the connivance of security agencies stationed along the road at School- to- Land axis of Wiiyaakara in Khana Local Government Area, hijacked materials meant for Wards 8, 9, 18 and other wards.
Obuah said Mene took the hijacked materials to his hotel at Wiiyaakara where they thump-printed and wrote results, and that he called on the Inspector-General of Police and the army authorities to move in immediately and recover those materials.
The PDP also recalled that the private residence of Magnus Abe was used as the Collation Center for collating of Gokana results.
The PDP chairman stated that the party having reviewed the entire exercise last Saturday came to the conclusion that there was no election in Khana LGA, calling on INEC to cancel the rerun elections in the LGA as it was been marred by irregularities and orchestrated violence by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against members of the PDP.
The PDP drew the attention of INEC, APC and its collaborators namely Army, SARS and police, which mortgaged its conscience to declare Magnus Abe, Barry Mpigi and the other APC candidates in Rivers South East winner to the consequences of going to equity with unclean hands.
“If Magnus Abe knows God, he cannot lay claim to stolen results. Thieves are not Christians, unless he is telling us that he is a thief. It’s very ungodly to steal. Magnus Abe and his cohorts have robbed the people”, Obuah declared.
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Be Firm In Fight Against Oil Theft, Fubara Tells CNS …As Navy Moves Training Hqtrs To Rivers …Seizes 14 Vessels In Three Months
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has encouraged the Nigerian Navy to be firm in the fight against all forms of economic sabotage, particularly crude oil theft, in the nation’s waterways.
The Governor noted with delight the positive results already recorded by the Navy in the State due largely to the tremendous support it has received from his administration.
Governor Fubara spoke when he hosted on courtesy visit, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla with his delegation of top officers of Navy High Command at Government House in Port Harcourt,yesterday.
The Rivers State Governor stated that Nigeria was facing myriad of crises, including economic challenges, rising insecurity and criminal activities that threaten the national economy, which should not be overlooked.
He said, “We are working together, we will give you all the support to make sure that you deliver on your mandate.
”And what is the mandate? You were appointed at a time when our country is facing a lot of crises, and your duty, among others, include to reduce, if it cannot be eliminated completely, the criminalities perpetrated on the waterways; oil theft and others.
”And I am happy that they are positive and commendable records of achievement so far, in the course of your tenure.”
Governor Fubara said the good news of reduced level of oil theft in Rivers State is evidence of the many positive things that are happening in the State beyond the much hyped negativity, and assured that such positive achievements will be sustained.
The State Chief Executive insisted: “The success of the Nigerian Navy in our State, in the areas of oil theft, is because the State Government has given you all the necessary support.
”We have collaborated with the command here. We supported them morally, and with all the necessary logistics.
”We have also maintained good relationship with the communities to make sure that whatever it is that is required for these operations to be successful were granted. I am happy to be associated with these very laudable achievements.”
Governor Fubara said: “So, I have to say that I am happy that the Chief of Naval Staff, today, is commending the success of the exercise. He is commending the doggedness of the men in fighting oil theft, not just in the Niger Delta, but particularly in our State.
”I want to assure you that we will continue to give them the support, and discourage any act that would be a sabotage to the economy of our State.”
Governor Fubara said that Rivers State was not named in error: there are several water channels that can boost the operations of the Navy. This is why we are requesting that the Nigerian Navy move all its bases to the State.
”It was not a mistake they called it Rivers State. It is surrounded with all forms of rivers. You want the Atlantic region, you can get it here. You want those small creeks, you can also get it here. Maybe, if you want an Island, you can also find it here.
”So, it is proper if we work with you and you have all that is required within this geographic region, to have all your bases relocated to Rivers State,” he said.
He further said: “We must continue to give you the necessary support to make sure that you succeed. I am happy to also say that, as the Governor of the State by the special grace of God, we are still here, not minding the dramas here and there. We will not let our people down in ensuring that we protect their interest.
”We will support the genuine course of governance; the protection of lives and provision of basic amenities. And these can only be achieved when there is a peaceful environment.
”And the peaceful environment can only come when there is a collaboration with security agencies to prevent crimes, and protect lives and property of residents.”
In his address, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, reiterated that the Nigerian Navy and Rivers State are like conjoined twins who cannot do without each other.
This is because, he said, they needed collaboration on various aspects of their activities ranging from training, operations, logistics, adding that Rivers State is key to their performance.
”My purpose of coming here today are three folds. The first is to inform His Excellency that on Saturday, we are graduating a set of former civilians who have been trained at our Basic Training School, Onne, and are graduating to join the ranks of the Nigerian Navy as ratings in order to beef up our strength.
”The second reason is to first appreciate the Governor and the entire Rivers State Government for the schools they donated to us: the Ambassador Nne Krukrubo Model Secondary School at Eleme in Eleme Local Government Area, and the Model Secondary School, Egbelu in Oyigbo Local Government Area.”
Vice Admiral Ogalla stated further: “We also want to use this opportunity to inform His Excellency that following that donation, and based on our strategic plan of moving our facilities to areas where we have enough space to be able to carryout out duties, we have renovated the school at Eleme.
”We are happy to report, today, that the erstwhile location of Headquarters of Naval Training Command, Lagos, is moving to that particular school location in Eleme, tomorrow.’
Speaking on the operational successes recorded thus far, he said that propelled by the charge given to them by President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Navy, under his watch, has impounded 14 vessels caught to be conveying stolen crude oil and several other individuals arrested, adding that investigations into their culpability were ongoing.
”I am here today to report Sir, that, with the “Operation Delta Sanity”, launched in January, 2024, we have been very successful, and within the period, we have recorded tremendous successes and achievements.
”Over 14 large crude carrying vessels have been arrested within that period. Most of them are at various levels of investigation. We have also arrested several barges and other companies and organizations that are involved in oil theft.
”As a result of the operations, we are happy to report that there has been tremendous improvement in terms of security in the maritime environment,” Ogalla added.
A heavy downpour has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, resulting in extensive damage to the facility and facilitating the escape of 118 inmates.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the spokesperson, Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Adamu Duza, yesterday.
Duza noted that the downpour which occurred on Wednesday night, caused severe damage to the custodial centre’s infrastructure, including a breach in the perimeter fence, which allowed the inmates to flee.
However, 10 fleeing inmates had been recaptured following a swift response by the NCoS in collaboration with other security agencies.
Duazu promised that efforts were ongoing to recapture the remaining fleeing inmates, adding that their database would soon be made known to the public.
Recognising the vulnerability of ageing facilities, many of which were built during the colonial era, Duza acknowledged that the NCoS was committed to modernising its infrastructure.
The statement further noted that the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, assured the public that the situation was under control and urged them to carry on with their daily activities without fear.
The public was encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or sightings of escaped inmates to the nearest security agency.
The statement read in part, “A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying parts of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of 118 inmates of the facility.
“The service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunction with sister security agencies, has so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot pursuit to recapture the rest.
“The service is not unmindful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era and that they are old and weak. The Service is making frantic efforts to ensure that all aging facilities give way to modern ones.
“The Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, wishes to assure the public that the service is on top of the situation and that they should go about their normal businesses without fear or hindrance.”
Meanwhile, the United States has underscored the significant challenge of overcrowding in Nigerian prisons.
The US, according to its ‘2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria,’ published on its website on Tuesday, noted that numerous correctional facilities were grappling with a staggering 50 per cent increase in the number of inmates beyond their intended capacity, revealing a systemic issue.
Furthermore, it disclosed that a notable proportion of these prisons, some with histories dating back 70 to 80 years, faced difficulties in meeting even the most fundamental standards of living.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
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