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Rivers Guber Election: INEC Lists Timeline For Conclusion …Resumes Results Collation, Announcement April 2,5 …Re-Run Polls To Hold April 13 …Court Rejects AAC’s Move To Stop Results Collation
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally released the much awaited timeline for the completion of the electoral processes in Rivers State.
Consequently, the commission has said that it would resume collation of Rivers State governorship election results on April 2, and announce the same on April 5.
The Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mr Festus Okoye, who disclosed this during a press conference at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, yesterday, said that the venue for the collation and announcement of results would be decided at a meeting with critical stakeholders on March 30.
The INEC national commissioner stated that the commission would hold an inter-agency security meeting on March 29, after which guidelines would be issued on the election, adding that efforts would also be made to undertake the revalidation of polling agents and observers.
He said that the electoral body would conduct supplementary elections on April 13 in local government areas where elections could not hold on March 9.
Okoye explained that such decision to conduct supplementary election where necessary, and in some constituencies not affected by litigation, would depend on the outcome of results collation in the state.
He further said that certificates of return would be issued to successful candidates on April 19.
Okoye also said that the commission was set to deploy national commissioners in various states where supplementary election would take place on March 23, to monitor the process and present certificates of return to the winners.
It would be recalled that supplementary elections had been scheduled for Plateau, Benue, Kano, Sokoto, as well as Adamawa and Bauchi, but litigations have put question marks on the possibility of any rerun polls for Bauchi and Adamawa this weekend.
However, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) elders in Rivers State have come hard on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing it of working with extraneous forces to shift the date of collation of results of the March 9 governorship election to April 2.
They warned that doing so was tantamount to deliberately precipitating constitutional crisis and setting the state on fire.
It would be recalled that INEC had earlier set March 20 date for the commencement of collation of results for the governorship/state assembly election which it suspended as a result controversy over the alleged infamous role played by security agencies at collation centres in the state.
But in what appears a twist, yesterday, the commission announced that it would resume collation of the results on April 2, and announce results arising therefrom on April 5.
The Rivers State African Action Congress (AAC/APC) alliance, led by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi had approached an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Inyang Ekpo for an ex-parte order restraining INEC from going ahead with the collation and announcement of results of the election, a motion the judge rejected.
INEC said it had already collated the results of 17 local government areas and would conclude the collation of remaining councils as soon as possible.
Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, the elders, including former governor of the state, Sir Celestine Omehia, former minister of transport, Abiye Sekibo, Chairman of the state’s chapter of PDP, Bro Felix Obua and Sergeant Awuse, accused INEC of dancing to the tune of extraneous forces and working to set the state on fire by shifting the collation date to April 2.
The elders described as dishonourable and shameful the decision of the commission to recant from its earlier promise to start the collation of results of the election on March 20.
“What INEC wants to do is to precipitate crisis in Rivers State. It is now clear that it has bowed to extraneous forces,” Obuah said.
Warning that INEC was treading on a dangerous ground with the shift in the date of the collation of results, the elders said INEC’s move has the potential of setting it against the people of the state.
Meanwhile, a coalition under the auspices of Civil Society Election Observers in Rivers State has urged INEC to make provision in extant legislation that would encourage electronic voting in Nigeria in the 2023 General Election.
The coalition, while revealing details of its findings in its iReport Platform during a press conference in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, emphasised the merit of electronic voting, adding that when adopted, it would reduce election violence and negative activities associated with it.
Speaking in an interview, the group’s spokesperson, Ogunduesi Nwoke, said that electronic voting would solve the challenge of massive rigging and widespread violence during elections.
Nwoke stated that the platform was requesting INEC to set up a panel of inquiry to determine the undue involvement of the Nigerian Army and police in the 2019 General Election, particularly in Rivers State.
Speaking at the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to end the pattern of inconclusive elections and conclude that of Rivers and Bauchi states.
Secondus, who led the National Working Committee of the PDP, during a courtesy visit to Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, urged the electoral body not to cause a crisis with the manoeuvring of results.
“I call on the Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu not to set this country into crisis because of inconclusive elections. It has never happened in the history of our country.
“This manoeuvring and inconclusive election, even elections concluded and done with, results cannot be collated at the headquarters in Rivers and Bauchi. He should move ahead to conclude these elections immediately so that the people can be at peace and rest.”
However, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, alleged that some persons in the state are making attempts to stop the process of result collation by INEC.
“Attempts have been made to stop collation as announced by INEC. This morning the political parties that contested the elections with us, have all gone to court to seek for stopping of collation. But the court did not grant them.
“But we prefer the move because it is the due process. The pain is the antics by security agencies trying to intimidate collation and electoral officers, inviting them for one offence of the other so as to impede on the collation of results,” Wike added.
Meanwhile, Justice Inyang Ekpo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has denied an application filed by the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara, seeking to stop the collation of results for the March 9 Rivers State Governorship and House of Assembly elections.
Ekpo held that the application brought before the court was such that the court cannot grant without hearing from the other party.
The plaintiff, represented by Tawo Tawo, in an ex-parte application, had prayed for an order to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from going ahead to resume, conclude and announce the results.
But the judge, after listening to the submission of the plaintiffs, chose not to grant their prayers.
Instead, the judge ordered the plaintiffs to put the respondents on notice on the suit, and fixed March 25, for both the plaintiffs and respondents to appear before him to present their positions.
Earlier, Ekpo had drawn the attention of the plaintiffs’ counsel to news making the round that he had already stopped the electoral body from going ahead to take further action.
The judge also drew the attention of the senior counsel to one Inyang Ewa, who granted the purported order, but the counsel denied the existence of such name as a Federal High Court judge.
Ekpo subsequently reprimanded those behind the fake news, adding that it was wrong for anybody or group to resort to self-help because such had been prohibited in the judiciary.
The plaintiffs had in their originating summons prayed the court to stop INEC from resuming collation and conclusion of the March 9 election results in Rivers State and from declaring any person or group as winners of the poll.
The plaintiffs specifically applied for an order compelling the electoral body to maintain the suspension of the electoral processes as announced on March 10.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.
Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, has lauded the commitment, solidarity and pivotal role of women in promoting peace and enterprise development in Rivers State.
Lady Fubara spoke at the second edition of ‘Women Converge,’ a special programme organized by Rivers Women Unite for Sim, an NGO, at the main bowl of the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
She said women in the state had tremendously impacted the state positively through their prayers, careers, contributions to the home fronts, and expressed appreciation to Rivers women, for their unwavering support to her husband, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, while urging them to continue to pray for the state.
“Once again, let me use this occasion to thank Rivers women for their support both in prayers and solidarity with me and my family. You have been wonderful. I can’t reward all that you do, but God in heaven who sees in secret will surely reward you openly.
“Truly today, marks another milestone in our effort to shape the society for good and lending our support for the sustenance of peace and development of Rivers State in particular and Nigeria at large. Without doubt, the prayers of our women avails much in every situation.
“Let me enjoin our women to remain prayerful because God is ever ready to answer our prayers. In all that we do, we must not forget the hand of God and often seek Him for direction and help. You have always been steadfast and I urge you not to relent, and together we will move our society forward. Whatever you do, putting your trust in God will certainly succeed”.
The Rivers State first Lady described the theme of the event, “Women in An Evolving World” as apt and, deeply reflective of the very essence of actions and strategies that women adopt to navigate the new world order.
She noted that despite the complexities of managing the home front and the constraints of economic realities, women had demonstrated formidable strength and resilience to confront the odds of life.
“This Converge underscores the resilience of our women to succeed no matter the odds, especially with absolute faith in God and determination for greater accomplishments.”
“Whether in the industry, business, agriculture, public service or even in politics, they have always shown strong determination to adapt and to accomplish like others.
“Our natural state notwithstanding our focus has always been to reach for the sky like every other person and as Rivers women we have always been pacesetters.
The Keynote Speaker, Pastor Eno Jerry Eze, described women as the foundation of every society, noting that the development of every society depends on the strength of womanhood.
In their good will messages, notable Rivers women who attended the event expressed optimism over the prospects of sustainable peace and development in Rivers State, and reiterated their support for the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Some dignitaries that attended the event include former Commissioner for Environment in Rivers State, Prof Roseline Konya; foremost activist, Ann Kio Briggs; wife of the former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Mrs Christie Toby; President of the Port Harcourt Chambers of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture, PHACCIMA, Dr Chinyere Nwoga; Pastor Ene Secondus, among others.
Highlights of the event were ministrations, cutting of cake and special prayers for Rivers State.
