Niger Delta
Delta Re-Run: Uduaghan, 13 Others Test Popularity, ‘Morrow
The 14 candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the governorship re-run election in Delta State will tomorrow test their popularity as the people of the state vote for candidate of their choice.
Among those to participate in the re-run election are the ousted Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Great Ogboru of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and Chief Ovie Omo-Agege who will fly the flag of Republican Party of Nigeria (RPN).
Others are Veronica Musa of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), chief Ngozi Agbogbo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Oghenevwogaga of the Accord Party (AP) among others.
Meanwhile, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state Mr. Gabriel Adah said that about 1.5 million registered voters in Delta State are expected to vote in tomorrow re-run election.
He disclosed the figure at an interactive session with newsmen on Saturday in Asaba.
Adah said the voters were expected to cast their votes at any of the 3, 625 polling units in the state where they were registered in 2007.
For the purposes of transparency the INEC guidelines for the 2011 general elections would be used in the rerun election, the commissioner said.
He said the election would last for six hours, with accreditation of voters taking place between 9 a.m. and noon.
Voting would hold between 12 noon and 3 p.m., he said, adding that only accredited registered voters would be allowed to vote.
He further said that after accreditation, the number of persons accredited would be counted by all the stakeholders, and that the exercise would be repeated after voting.
He said the number of voters must correspond with the number of those accredited as the process would also be repeated at the collation centres.
The REC said that only registered voters with either the temporary or permanent voter’s cards would be eligible to vote.
He said that to further ensure transparency, party agents would be invited to monitor the distribution of materials, adding that ballot boxes with serial numbers would be used.
He, however, said that the serial numbers for the ballot boxes would not be revealed until the voting day.
“ Like you all know, this rerun is a litmus test for INEC and we cannot afford to fail.
“ We are bent on conducting free, fair and credible re-run election,’’ he said.
He warned that any act of thuggery would be investigated and the culprits would be prosecuted, adding that materials would be deplored to riverine communities a day before the rerun.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.
-
Opinion5 days ago
My Thought On St Valentine’s Day
-
Politics5 days ago
Osun LG Crisis: IGP Moves To Restore Normalcy
-
Business5 days ago
Partnerships, Capacity Building, Panacea For Local Content Boost – Shell
-
Editorial5 days agoSolid Minerals, Cesspit Of Corruption
-
Politics5 days ago
Diri Renders Stewardship As Jonathan, Others Grace Anniversary Celebration
-
Business5 days ago
LCCI Urges FG To Reduce Inflation Through Improved Petrol Export
-
Features5 days ago
A Farewell To Arms In Ogoni
-
Politics5 days ago
2027: SDP Advocates Principles-Based Alliances For Good Governance