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Guber Poll: I Didn’t Collect Bribe To Change Results -Effanga
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State, Mr Obo Effanga has denied allegations of monetary inducement of any staff of the commission to change the March 9, 2019 Governorship and state House of Assembly election results in order to favour a political party in the state.
Effanga stated this, during an interactive parley with journalists at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
“My duty is not who wins the election, my duty is how the election is conducted, and if there is any specific accusation as to what we did as an electoral body that shows we didn’t go through the due process set out for the election, then, we have to take it up from there.
“I don’t have any relation here in Rivers State, and I am not from Rivers State, and I don’t have any relationship with any political party. Was I paid or how much was I paid? No. I was not paid. What could I have done differently? Maybe, I really need to reflect to know what I could have done differently,” he added.
The INEC boss explained that he did not regret any of his decisions taken to ensure transparent, credible, free and fair elections in the state, adding that any candidate or party not satisfied with the outcome of the election should seek redress at the election petition tribunal established mainly for that purpose.
He further absolved the commission or any of its staff of any wrongdoing in the just-concluded elections in the state, saying: “neither I nor the commission had compromised the electoral process”.
The REC maintained that, “if there is any specific accusation as to what we did as an electoral body that shows we didn’t follow due process should be channelled to the tribunal, so as to challenge the outcome of the 2019 General Election in the state”.
According to him, “Did I compromise the electoral process? No. I did not. So, what they did at their parties that made things difficult for them and the process less competitive at the point of the election is their business”.
He explained that it was not true that the commission’s Fact-Finding Committee met with candidates of the political parties during its investigation on what led to the suspension of the elections in the state.
“They came and met with staff, electoral officers and collation officers, and they then met with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee in Election Security.
“There were some reports in the newspapers that I was disappointed about, and I had to forward it to members of the committee asking if that actually happened, because I was not there. So, I am stating it here and again, that the committee didn’t meet any of the candidates”, Effanga insisted.
He revealed that between May and June, INEC would engage in a number of activities, including the resumption of the Continued Voter Registration and PVC collection as well as reviewing the process of the 2019 General Election, and strategise on ways to better prepare for the 2023 General Election.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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