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Political Parties Reject Polls In Rivers …As Jega Says No Enough Evidence To Cancel Election
INEC collation officer for Rivers State, Prof. John Etu-Efeotor, handing over the results sheet of the presidential election in the state to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, at the National Collation Centre in Abuja, yesterday.
As reactions trail the just- concluded Presidential and National Assembly election in Rivers State, the concerned political parties in Rivers State has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in calling for the cancellation of the elections in the state.
The group, which said this at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, alleged high level irregularities in the conduct of the elections in the state.
The leader of the group, Hon Nsirim Chima of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), also accused the state Resident Electoral Commissioner of colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party to rig the elections.
“We, the undersigned political parties under the auspices of concerned political parties in Rivers State, committed to upholding globally acceptable tenets of democracy unanimously declare that there was no election in the 28th of March 2015.
“Rather, what was purported to be an election was a mockery of democracy, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in concert with the Resident Electoral commissioner (REC) of Rivers State marred the entire process with high momentum of irregularities ad malpractices deliberately orchestrated to rig the election in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“The fact that INEC in Rivers State compromised is incontrovertible as there was virtually no polling unit where votes were cast, counted results announced and pasted as required by the electoral law”.
The group also alleged killings and general intimidation as PDP thugs allegedly aided by security operatives, brazenly orchestrated mayhem on intending voters and members of other political parties.
They also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist all forms of illicit overtures by political parties and politicians to lure it to indulge in activities that would mar the success of the elections.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State rejected the results of the National Assembly elections won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
The rejection is contained in a statement issued by Director of Media, Greater Together Campaign Organisation of the party, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, in Port Harcourt.
It stated that the result was not acceptable to the party, and called for the cancellation of the elections.
“This is not acceptable to us and we reiterate our call for the cancellation of all elections in Rivers State,’’ it stated.
According to the statement, the result is a denial of the people’s right to air their voices.
It stated that APC agent in INEC submitted petitions to the Resident Electoral Commissioner on the conduct of the election but was sent out of the collation centre on March 28.
It would be recalled that the results of Saturday’s National Assembly elections in Rivers had been released with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winning all the seats in both chambers of the assembly.
The Chief Returning Officer for the state, Prof. John Etu-Efeotor, announced the results in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Efeotor, who is the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Petroleum, Effurun, Delta, said that Sen. George Sekibo of the PDP polled 662,278 to win Rivers East Senatorial District.
According to him, Sekibo defeated his All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hon Andrew Uchendu, who scored 52,064 votes.
In Rivers South-East district, Mr Olaka Nwogu of PDP polled 408,353 votes to beat Sen. Magnus Abe of APC, who had 23,052 votes.
The third senatorial seat, Rivers South-West, was picked by PDP’s Mr Osinakachukwu Ideozu, who scored 279,745 as against 24,687 votes polled by Mr Otelemaba Amachree of the APC.
For the House of Representatives seats, Efeotor announced that PDP won in the 13 Federal constituencies in the state, with Betty Apiafi scoring 64,016 votes to defeat APC’s Robinsoh Ewoh, who polled 3,654 votes for Abua/Odual/Ahoada East seat.
Mr Uche Obi won the Ahoada West/Egbema/Ndoni seat with 90,891 votes against 8,967 votes scored by Lucky Odili of APC.
Similarly, Jacobson Nbina polled 141,410 votes to pick Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo constituency ticket as against 9,920 votes scored by Bari Mpigi of APC.
Other winners included Kingsley Chinda, who scored 182,158 votes to win Obio/Akpor constituency ticket, defeating Tony Okocha of APC who got 13,286 votes; Awaji Abiante scored 95,000 votes to win Sampson Egop of APC with 5,366 votes for Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro constituency.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says there is no substantial evidence to cancel result of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in Rivers State.
Chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, made this known at the National Collation Centre of the election in Abuja, yesterday.
The position of the INEC was sequel to the petition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and calls by some political stakeholders in the state for the cancellation of the result.
The petitioners had alleged massive irregularities during the elections.
“Elections all over the world are not perfect and we do not believe that the allegations are substantial enough to cancel the results.
“The commission, however, constituted a three-man committee to investigate the allegations.
“The three-man committee went to the state yesterday (Monday) to investigate the allegation and they returned this morning and were giving us a debriefing this morning which resulted in the delay of today’s process,’’ Jega said.
He, therefore, directed that result of the presidential poll from Rivers State should be announced, and it was done by the Collation Officer for the state, Prof. John Etu-Efeotor, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged newly sworn-in chairman and members of the State House of Assembly Service Commission to achieve greater productivity, promote highest standard and insist on best practices in the discharge of Legislative services.
Governor Fubara also urged them to ensure that parliamentary staff are put through disciplinary conducts in the discharge of their duties in the service.
Governor Fubara gave the charge shortly after the chairman and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Service Commission were sworn-in at the Executive Chamber of Government House in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
The Governor also sworn-in the chairman and members of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission.
Hon Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, is the chairman of RSHA, with Dr Kennedy Ebeku, Hon. Soberekon Clark, Hon. Jones Ogbonda, and Hon Kingston Sylvanus as members.
For the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, Hon GoodLife Ben will serve as the chairman, with Chief Emmanuel G. Jaja, Ms. Betty Warmate, Barrister Jerome Chimenem, Hon Prince O. Ohochukwu, Barrister Philip Okparaji, and Christian Amadi as members.
Governor Fubara explained that the constitution and swearing-in of the respective commissions were delayed with the hope that all former members of the political block will come back together but quickly added that such expectation is dashed now as governance has to move on.
He said: “As it stands now, our position is very clear. The ship that we are onboard is clear, and the activities of governance have to continue.
“So, this swearing-in is to give these two units of government – particularly, the House of Assembly Service Commission, a formal commission so that you can start carrying out the activities of promotion, discipline and every other thing that has to do with the legislative staff activity.”
Governor Fubara emphasised: “This assignment is not business as usual. You have to take full charge, and you have to ensure that there is discipline in the service.”
Speaking on the Local Government Service Commission, Governor Fubara said an acting Chairman was previously appointed to hold brief while the situation was being studied but quickly added that as it stands now, a full fledged commission has to be constituted to steer affairs.
Governor Fubara stated that the various Local Government Councils have been mandated to commence payment of the N85,000.00 Minimum Wage to their workers.
However, Governor Fubara said that mandate had met with series of complaints about ghost workers or inflated payroll staff list, which required proper scrutiny in order to ensure that only genuine workers benefit.
He said, “You must ensure that you support the Local Government Chairmen to get rid of those fake names in the payroll, so that when they implement the N85,000.00 Minimum Wage, it will not be too much burden on them.
“I am not saying you should go and dismiss people who are genuinely employed. Hear me very well: there must be proper scrutiny to be sure that whoever is there must be a genuine civil servant employed by the commission, and must have met all the conditions.”
Governor Fubara also directed the commission to address the issue of staff stagnation on a particular grade level, which is an ugly practice, and make sure those due promotion truly benefit from statutory progression in the service.
He said, “The second side is, you have the issue of promotion, you must also ensure that they are adequately promoted so that they can start enjoying like their counterparts in the mainstream.
“There is too much dragging of their promotion, for somebody to be on Grade Level 4 for over 30 years is not good. It is not good news.”
Governor Fubara maintained: “I believe strongly that you will not allow yourselves to be corrupted like those stories that we used to hear. Make sure that there is acceptable level of discipline and standard in the Local Government Service Commission.
“I also believe strongly that you are already prepared for this assignment, and since you are prepared, I will charge you to go do what you know how to do best. Be assured that the government will give you all the necessary support.”
Governor Fubara noted that the task before them could seem Herculean but they should be assured of support from his administration to drive the assignment given to them to reckonable success.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the open dumping of wastes has to be replaced with a more innovative and efficient disposal method so that wastes can be taken off the streets and turned into income-yielding ventures.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while giving charge to the newly constituted Board of Directors of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and its Managing Director at Government House in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
The Board members included Engr. Edward Namiesimagh as the chairman, while Hon. Bishop Best, Dr. Ipalibo Sogules, Richard Mazi, and Civian Y. Nwibari are members, with Hon. Orukwem Amadi-Oparaeli as the Managing Director.
Governor Fubara said waste disposal and management have remained a major global concern, adding that over the years, successive administrations in the State had struggled to take wastes off the streets but ended up taking them to other dumpsites where they constitute nuisance and environmental hazards.
He said, “Today, I am here putting a team together to look at these challenges differently. Let it not be the regular pattern whereby at the end of the month, you come to collect money from me for payments.
“Don’t indulge in appointing your friends as sweepers, evaluators of debris, then you start building hotels, or buying big cars. Let us go beyond that and tap into the potentials of waste management.
“It is an area in this world that there is so much money in. It is an area that creates employment, and generates huge revenue. It is not just depending on what I will give to you. Consider what change you’ll bring to the work, that’s what I want to see in Rivers State.”
Governor Fubara told them that they were carefully selected because of the experiences they had garnered in their previous public assignments, and urged them to replicate their successes on a bigger scale with the new appointment.
The Governor advised them to work assiduously to bring back the beauty of Port Harcourt with effective waste disposal drive, and ensure the city is clean and green to reflect its old Garden City status.
Governor Fubara emphasised: “If not for our effort, today, some people could have even changed it to become Garbage City. But God forbid, it is not going to be in our own time.
“I want you to understand that I feel very unhappy with the sight I see. When you are driving into Port Harcourt, one of the first things that will welcome you is the waste dump that you see along the Obiri-Ikwerre-Airport Road. I don’t feel happy about it.
“Your first task should be to relocate it. That particular place needs to be completely closed because it is the entrance to the city. You need to get a new place where we can relocate our wastes.”
Governor Fubara urged them to be more responsible as they discharge their assignment, saying that it is more important to see results than being merely preoccupied with the aura of office.
The Governor warned that he will not hesitate to relieve anyone found wanting, and return the agency back to the era of a sole administrator running the affairs of the agency.
He noted, “This team cuts across all the Senatorial Districts, so that whatever you are going to do there, you ensure it spreads. While you are also carrying out this job, let it be known to the world that the interest of everybody in the State is accommodated.
“It shouldn’t be one-sided. Make sure that all our supporters who have the capacity and competence to do little jobs in the refuse area are also accommodated. I am serious. I have no doubt that you are going to impress us. So, I charge you to do all you can to make sure that the face of Port Harcourt changes when it comes to the issue of refuse.”
Governor Fubara told them to be good ambassadors of his administration as they interface with members of the public while also changing the face of refuse management in the State.
In his acceptance speech, Chairman of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Engr. Edward Namiesimagh, expressed appreciation to the Governor, on behalf of members of the Board, for finding them worthy to handle such difficult but surmountable task of keeping Port Harcourt clean.
He said, “When I see the calibre of people you assembled, all of us are happy, and I assure that with our period of experience in our fields and politics and interaction with people and the zeal that comes with this job, we assure you that we will do our best to make sure that the policy of restoring Port Harcourt to its lost glory is achieved with your support.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Saturday, graced the solemnization of Sacrament of Matrimony between Engr Victor Kii, and his heartthrob, Engr Mercy Mankwe.
Engr Kii is the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture.
The wedding ceremony was held at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy, Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), along the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, Rumuibekwe in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
In his Homily, the Chief Celebrant, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev Matthew Hassan Kukah, said marriage is an enduring union, ordained by God for two persons – man and woman – who have decided in love to live their lives together.
Bishop Kukah stated that people in such Christian marriage should know that they are in an indissoluble union, bounded by faith, and advised them to gladly make personal sacrifices in tolerance and care for each other so that they can have a healthy, successful and rewarding life together.
In his vote of thanks, co-celebrant, Very Rev Monsignor Pius Kii, showered commendations on the Governor for his fatherly support to the family, and the numerous landmark achievements in various sectors across the State.
The clergy and the church took the opportunity to pray for the success and good health of Governor Fubara and his administration, and urged God to protect, guide and defend him at all times.
The church also presented 50th birthday cake and gifts to the Governor, and also sang birthday songs to accentuate the celebration.
Highlights of the event were the signing of the marriage register by the new couple, Victor and Mercy, and the cutting of the 50th Birthday cake by the Governor.