Niger Delta
C’River REC Halts Voters’ Protest Over Ballot Papers Shortage
The timely intervention of the Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Gabriel Yomere, helped to restore normalcy and voting at RCC Round About Polling Unit in Ward 6, Calabar Municipality on Saturday.
The Tide source reports that voters at the centre had refused to allow voting to continue when they were told that the ballot papers for the senatorial election were incomplete.
They vowed not to allow the exercise to continue until the ballot papers were complete.
Speaking to the source on the development, an elderly female voter, Mrs Gloria Asuquo, said she came to the polling unit as early as 8am but regretted that INEC officials and electoral materials arrived at the centre around 11am.
Asuquo said: “When they came here, they announced to us that the ballot papers for the senatorial election were short by 350 pieces.
“We refused to accept that and decided not to vote until the ballot papers were complete.
“How can you tell us that the materials are not complete when people are all here waiting to vote.
“What happened to the remaining ballot papers?
“We are no longer blind, without complete ballot papers, nobody is voting in this polling unit or else we will scatter everything”.
Also, Mr Effiong Moses said the polling unit was in the heart of the town, “so, saying that ballot papers were short is playing politics with the rights of Nigerians”.
However, in a swift response, the REC, who visited the polling unit, immediately went to the state office of the commission and brought more ballot Papers.
There was spontaneous jubilation at the centre, when he returned with more ballot papers at about noon, when the process commenced.
Yomere explained that the shortage was a human error, adding that the materials came late and that the mistake occured when they were being hurriedly sorted out.
“We have enough ballot papers. The challenge was that of the Nigerian factor, where these materials don’t come in time and when they do, INEC officials have just a day or two to sort them out for all the polling units in the state”, he said.
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.