Rivers

Kudos, Knocks Greet Electoral Act Passage

Published

9 years ago

April 3, 2017

As reactions continue to greet the passage of the Electoral Act No. 6 2010 (Amendment) Bill 2017 into law last week by the National Assembly, the Chairman of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Rivers State, Deacon Princewill Enyi says the development “is a plus to the National Assembly but minus to Nigerians”.
Enyi who was reacting to the recent passage of the bill by the National Assembly in Port Harcourt, said the Electronic Voting Act passage by the red chambers is just a trial Act on Nigerians.
According to him: “Until and unless the National Orientation Agency (NOA) does its duty of extensive, elaborate grassroots sensitisation of the citizenry on the issues accent by the presidency, efforts, resources yet to be expended on the programme may be a waste.
The Chairman of the Social Democratic Party in Rivers State, EngrJoshua Worlu described the passage of the Bill by the Senate as a bold, innovative and common sense step on Electoral Reforms designed to guarantee free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
Worlu commended the National Assembly, stating that it will reduce rigging and snatching of ballot boxes in the next and subsequent elections in the state and the nation.
Also speaking, A legal practitioner and former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, Barrister Clifford Oparaodu commended the National Assembly and noted that the new law will return power to the people rather than to politicians who put themselves back to power and oppress the less privileged.
The chairman caretaker committee, Asari-Toru LGA, lauded the National Assembly for taking the bold step to amend the electoral Act, stressing that this has been one of the outstanding laws passed by the 8th Assembly.
The Tide learnt that if the presidency assent’s to the law, then there shall now be full biometric accreditation of voters with Smart Card Readers and/or other technological devices, as INEC may, from time to time, introduce for elections.
It also means that the Presiding Officers must now instantly transmit accreditation data and results from Polling Units to various collation centres. Presiding officer who contravenes this shall be imprisoned for at least 5 years (no option of fine).
While all Presiding Officers must now first record accreditation data and polling results on INEC’s prescribed forms before transmitting them, the data/result recorded must be the same as what they transmitted.
The Act, it was learnt, gives INEC unfettered powers to conduct elections by electronic voting and manual registers, INEC is now mandated to keep Electronic registers of voters.
It also empowers INEC to publish voters’ registers on its official website(s) for public scrutiny at least 30 days before a general election and any INEC staff who is responsible for this but fails to act as prescribed shall be liable on conviction to six months’ imprisonment.
Other things expected of INEC is to keep a National Electronic Register of Election Results as a distinct database or repository of polling unit by polling unit results for all elections conducted by INEC.
Collation of election result is now mainly electronic, as transmitted unit results will help to determine final results on real time basis and INEC mandated to record details of electoral materials – quantities, serial numbers used to conduct elections (for proper tracking).
A political party whose candidate dies after commencement of an election and before the declaration of the result of that election now has a 14-day window to conduct a fresh primary in order for INEC to conduct a fresh election within 21 days of the death of the party’s candidate;
Political parties’ Polling Agents are now entitled to inspect originals of electoral materials before commencement of election and any Presiding Officer who violates this provision of the law shall be imprisoned for at least1 year.
No political party can impose qualification/disqualification criteria, measures or conditions on any Nigerian for the purpose of nomination for elective offices, except as provided in the 1999 Constitution.
The election of a winner of an election can no longer be challenged on grounds of qualification, if the he (winner) satisfied the applicable requirements of sections 65, 106, 131 or 177 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and he is not, as may be applicable, in breach of sections 66, 107, 137 or 182 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. [For example, a person’s election cannot be challenged on the ground that he did not pay tax, as this is not a qualifying condition under the Constitution.]
All members of political parties are now eligible to determine the ad-hoc delegates to elect candidates of parties in indirect primaries. The capacity of party executives to unduly influence or rig party primaries has been reasonably curtailed, if not totally removed.
Parties can no longer impose arbitrary nomination fees on political aspirants. The Bill passed prescribes limits for each elective office as follows:
(a) One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000) for a Ward Councillorship aspirant in the FCT;
(b) Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250,000) for an

Rivers

2026 Boy Child Day: Association Seeks Intentional Mentoring

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

As the world marked the 2026 International Day of the Boy Child last Saturday, the Rivers Secondary Schools Old Boys and Girls 1983 Set Association has called for deliberate investment in raising boys who will become responsible heads of homes.

In a press release signed and issued by the Secretary-General of the Association, Dr. Ibinabo Ogolo, to commemorate the day, the Association said the future stability of Nigerian families depends on how intentionally boys are raised and guided.

Speaking on behalf of the Set, President of the Association, Barrister Tubokomba Mcdonald Harry, she said the theme of this year’s global celebration, “Boys to Men: Adopting Good Habits and Attitudes”, must move beyond slogans to daily practice in homes, schools, and communities.

“For years, advocacy has rightly centered on the girl child. That work must continue. But we cannot ignore the other side”, Barrister Harry stated.

“A boy who grows up without guidance, emotional literacy, and responsibility often becomes a man who struggles to lead, provide, and protect. If we want stable homes in 2040, we must invest in boys now”, he said.

He emphasized that being “head of the home” is about stewardship, not power: “The man who leads a home well is emotionally responsible, financially disciplined, morally upright, and a true partner to his spouse. These qualities are learned from childhood, through what boys see, hear, and practice.”

The Association noted that many boys currently learn manhood by default from peers, social media, and entertainment that equate masculinity with aggression and silence about pain.

To change this, the 1983 Set urged fathers and mentors to be present and active, schools to integrate life skills such as conflict resolution and financial literacy, and communities and faith groups to establish mentorship programmes where older men guide younger ones.

The press release also linked the issue to Africa’s wider goals, noting that the 2026 Day of the African Child focuses on water, sanitation, and hygiene.

“A boy trained to solve real problems becomes a man who ensures dignity for his family and community”, Harry said.

The Association concluded with a call to mothers, fathers, and boys themselves to take ownership of the task of raising responsible future leaders.

International Day of the Boy Child is observed globally on May 16. It is a day that focuses on the well-being, mental health and positive development of boys.

Rivers

Ogoni Landlords Seek Inclusion In Planned Oil Resumption Process

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

Flemotongha Miebi/Fortune Wokeh/Akpos David/Esuuk Oyet/Edughom Suotor

Landlords in Ogoni, under the aegis of Gokana,Tai, Eleme, and Khana United Landlords Association (GOTEKA) have called for inclusion in the ongoing negotiation over the planned resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.

The landlords,who made the call during its formal inauguration recently in Port Harcourt, also called for proper compensation, clear legal agreements, and inclusive dialogues in the entire process

Chairman of the Association, Professor George Ema, said any resumption of oil exploration in ogoniland without proper consultation with host communities and land owners will be resisted.

George said, while the association expressed support for the planned return of oil activities in ogoniland under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, key historical issues must be addressed to avoid a repeat of earlier conflicts that led to the suspension of oil operations in the area.

According to GOTEKA, past disagreements between oil companies, political leaders, and host communities caused crises, court cases, and long-term disruption of oil production in Ogoni land, adding that these problems were responsible for the high level of poverty warranted by economic stagnation, social unrest, pipeline vandalism, and many legal battles in the area.

The landlords also referenced the struggles led by late environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), which opposed Shell’s activities in Ogoni land, resulting in years of unrest and court cases.

They stressed that the renewed plan for oil exploration must be guided by proper Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), fair compensation, and the direct involvement of landlords in negotiations to prevent cheating and conflict.

The group also raised concern over what they described as a repeated “divide and rule” approach in handling oil compensation in Ogoni. They said there is a lack of proper MOUs between oil companies and landlords, while compensation often goes to political leaders and traditional rulers instead of the real landowners.

GOTEKA added that land in Ogoni is owned by individuals and families, not the entire community.

According to the group, “under traditional land rules, owners have full rights over their land and can decide how it is used, including selling or leasing it. So, there must be proper agreement spelt out in the MOU, which must be signed by all the parties involved to avoid legal battles.

The group urged government, oil companies, and political leaders to respect traditional land ownership and adopt honest dialogue and peaceful negotiation in resolving issues.

Rivers

Police Warn Rivers Students Against Cultism, Drug Abuse

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of Rumuodomaya Police Station, CSP Dindara Dadamu, has warned students in Rivers State against involvement in cultism and other criminal activities, stressing that such acts could lead to imprisonment and destruction of their future.

He gave the warning recently during an anti-cultism and drug abuse sensitisation programme organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at Den-Bec Group of Schools in Port Harcourt.

Dadamu stated that the law does not exempt minors from punishment, noting that children from the age of 12 could still be prosecuted for criminal offences.

According to him, many young people are lured into cultism through peer pressure and bad company. He urged the students to be mindful of the friends they associate with.

The DCO stressed that ignorance of the law would not protect anyone from facing the consequences of unlawful conduct.

Also speaking, a representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Ejiofor Ifeanyi, described cultism and drug abuse as destructive habits capable of ruining academic ambitions and promising careers.

He advised the students to avoid negative influences and remain focused on their education and personal development.

A mental health expert, Mr. Victor Akeni, noted that cultism and illicit drug use contribute significantly to emotional instability, fear and poor academic performance among youths.

He explained that cult members often live under constant fear of attacks and reprisals, making it difficult for them to concentrate on their studies or live peacefully.

The sensitisation programme brought together security agencies, mental health professionals, teachers and students as part of efforts to discourage social vices among young people.

The Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, who spoke through a representative, Mrs. Anna West, encouraged the students to take advantage of opportunities provided through education and technology rather than engaging in unlawful activities.

Ogbuku also warned that cultism and drug abuse could result in imprisonment, violence and untimely death, and urged the students to embrace discipline, hard work and positive values.

By: King Onunwor