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2019 Guber, Assembly Polls: INEC Seals Rivers APC’s Hope …Delists Cole, Others From Final List …Excludes Zamfara APC Candidates,Too
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of governorship and House of Assembly candidates in Rivers State, with candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) missing.
It would be recalled that INEC had Thursday, January 17, released a list signed by the commission’s Secretary, Rose Orianran-Anthony, and while candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Labour Party, among others, made the list, those of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were excluded.
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, the state capital had nullified the direct and indirect primaries conducted by the two factions of the APC in Rivers State.
The court presided over by Justice Kolawole Omotosho held that both primaries were not conducted according to the law.
Omotosho had also restrained the electoral body from recognising Arch Tonye Cole and Senator Magnus Abe as governorship candidates of the APC in the general elections.
Abe was declared the winner of a direct governorship primary conducted by a faction of the party in 2018 after polling 144, 929 votes while Cole emerged the winner of an indirect primary held by another faction with 3,329 votes.
Following the rulings, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Obo Effanga, insisted that the electoral umpire would always obey court injunctions.
In the same vein, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused to shift ground on its earlier decision to stop the All Progressives Congress (APC) from presenting candidates for the forthcoming general elections in Zamfara State.
INEC, which had earlier said it would release the final list of governorship and State Assembly candidates, yesterday, however, said the status quo remained unchanged.
The commission made the clarification in a statement issued, last Wednesday night by its National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye.
Okoye said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission met on Wednesday, January 30 2019, and among other things, approved the final list of candidates for the governorship, State Assembly and FCT Area Council elections scheduled to hold on March 2, 2019.
“On the whole, there are 1, 066 candidates for the governorship elections, 14, 583 for the State Assembly elections and 806 for the FCT Area Council elections broken down into 105 chairmanship candidates and 701 councillorship candidates.”
Meanwhile, there were serious jubilations within the opposition parties in Zamfara State as the INEC, yesterday, disqualified all the candidates of the APC in the state from contesting the 2019 general elections in the state.
According to the governorship candidate of the PDP in the state, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the official release from the commission which excluded the state wing of APC from contesting the elections was a very transparent development.
According to him, INEC has proved to Nigerians that the 2019 general elections would be free, fair, credible and acceptable.
According to him, INEC has obeyed the judiciary, noting that the Federal High court’s judgment supersedes a state High Court, appealing to the commission to ensure that justice prevails in the 2019 general elections.
In another reaction, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Alhaji Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi noted that he was waiting for APC in the state to flag-off its campaign before going to the Appeal Court, noting that INEC has done what was expected of the commission to do.
The presidential candidate of Nigerian Elements Progressive Party (NEPP), Comrade Ishaka Paul Ofemile said he was impressed with the decision of INEC.
He noted that Nigeria was so big for anybody to use federal might or power of incumbency to manipulate the decision of over 150 million citizens.
On his part, Senator Garba Kabiru Marafa, representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, pointed out that Governor Abdulaziz Yari wanted to prove to the world that he was the Alpha and Omega in the state.
The senator noted that Yari came to the political limelight from nowhere through the political influence of Senator Ahmad Sani Yarima.
Marafa noted that even though he was not going to contest the governorship election, he was satisfied that Yari did not achieve his selfish interest after all.
Meanwhile, all the APC candidates and their supporters have remained silent, waiting for the governor to enter the state Government House and make a public statement.
It would be recalled that the faction of the governor within the party had conducted the party primary elections in the state which the G8 group, the national headquarters of APC and INEC rejected.
The rejection of the primaries forced the camp of the governor to proceed to court against both the national headquarters of the party and INEC, praying the court to uphold the primaries.
However, the state High Court sitting in Gusau, the state capital, upheld the primaries while the Federal High Court, Abuja, declared the elections non-acceptable, thereby, upholding the decision of INEC not to allow the APC candidates in the state to contest the general elections.
It was not yet known what would be the next line of action by the state chapter of the party even though it was gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari has now concluded plans for his presidential campaign in the state.
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.