Niger Delta
Delta ACN Rejects Polls Results … Uduaghan Dedicates Victory To God
Dissatisfaction has continued to trail the outcome of the April 26 polls held in Delta State as the state chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and other aggrieved political parties are poised for serious legal fireworks at the Election Petition Tribunal.
The ACN House of Representatives candidate for Ika constituency, Dr. Isioma Okobah and its House of Assembly candidate for Ika North East, Hon. Christian Okapambor, have challenged the conduct of the polls, which, they say, was characterised by gross irregularities.
Okapambor, who briefed journalists in Asaba on Monday, said the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that election was free, fair and credible in Nigeria was truncated in Delta State.
According to him, the House of Assembly election held in the council area on Tuesday, April 26, was characterised with “monumental fraud, political irregularities, intimidations, snatching of ballot papers and boxes and beating up of opposition agents”.
He said, “in view of the issues raised, we hereby as a political party and candidates reject the results in its entirety”.
He decried what he called the lukewarm attitude of INEC to all the distress calls and petitions forwarded to it while the fraud were being perpetrated, saying, “despite that, all our complaints of fraud during the election were turned down by the electoral officers deployed to the area” thus urged the party’s supporters to remain calm “as we prepare to contest the election at the tribunal”.
While saying the results of the election that declared Prince Obi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner was fraudulent and do not reflect the wishes of Ika North East Local Government people, he said “the victory was bought for him to compensate him for delivering the Governor (Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan) in the rerun.”
The Ika North East House of Assembly constituency seat is currently being occupied by the incumbent Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Prince Sam Obi, who acted as the Governor of the state during the 90 days court ordered rerun.
Despite the protest that has greeted the outcome of the polls, Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has dedicated his victory as winner of the election to God, and promised to reach out to chieftains of opposition parties in the state and reconcile with them “so that together we can move the state forward”.
Dr. Uduaghan, who announced this, Sunday, at the World of Life Bible Church, Warrri, during a thanksgiving service to mark his election victory. He said he will make personal contact and reconcile with those who contested against him, and those within the PDP who worked against him.
“I am going to make personal effort to reach out to those in the opposition and those within the PDP who did not support me during the election. I will personally reach them so that together we will build a virile state”.
The Governor appealed to Deltans to forgive him if in the process of governance he erred and offended them.
Expressing regret that there was so much hatred in the state, Dr. Uduaghan said “Please forgive me and not be angry with me.
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.