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Polls: Peterside, Abe Lead APC Protest Against INEC …We’re Investigating The Allegations – Jega
Rivers State APC gubernatorial candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside (3rd right) leading a protest march in Port Harcourt yesterday against INEC over alleged irregularities in the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly polls in the state.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega said yesterday that the commission was investigating allegations of elections irregularities in Rivers State by the All Progressive Congress (APC) and call for the cancellations of the polls.
Jega’s statement came even as aggrieved members of APC in the State took to the streets in Port Harcourt, yesterday to protest the conduct of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly election in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The protesters led by the APC governorship candidate in the state, Dr Dakuku Peterside and Senator representing Rivers South-East senatorial district, Senator Magnus Abe, marched to the INEC headquarters on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, demanding the cancellation of Saturday’s elections.
They were, however, prevented from gaining entrance into the INEC office by heavily-armed security personel who cordoned off the INEC office.
All roads leading to the INEC headquarters were being patrolled by security agents, while two lanes of Aba Road were blocked by two armoured tanks, forcing motorists to drive against traffic on the other two lanes.
The situation led to heavy traffic gridlock and snarl on the other two lanes.
The protesters who chanted “we want change” continually, accused INEC of being compromised by the state (PDP) and therefore demanded for fresh elections in the state.
Addressing journalists at the INEC’s entrance gate, Senator Abe said no election took place in the state.
“All what we are talking about is the fact that there was no election in Rivers State, and that the INEC has been totally compromised by the PDP. Now, you have seen it.
‘We have two agents here (in INEC), one was arrested and he is still in detention, the one that was here was pushed out and he is now outside.
‘Now, they told us results have been brought in here (to INEC), but APC has no representatives, but the governorship candidate of the PDP (Wike) is inside, PDP agents are inside.
“On Friday night, they (INEC) were giving out all our incident forms to PDP members and we went to complain that that kind of activities can not take place in the absence of the agents of other parties.
‘What kind of INEC do we have here? Even by today’s standard, this kind of election can not stand in Nigeria.
“There should be election in Rivers State. We have not voted. Nobody has voted. I have not voted. What results here they collating here?
Did you not go round yesterday (Saturday)? Did you not see confussion in the state? How many people were killed, the violence, the carting away of materials?”
While the protest was on at the INEC office, our correspondent confirmed that the state governorship candidate of the PDP, Chief Nyesom Wike and the Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru who recently defected to the PDP were in the INEC office.
When confronted why he was in the INEC office, Wike told our correspondent that he and Ikuru were agents of their party for the presidential election.
The protesters later moved to the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The protest was a fall-out of the boycott of the election by the APC in the state over alleged electoral irreguarlities, arisig from non-availability of results sheets, intimidation and molestation of APC members resulting into death of some people including a soldier.
At Ubima, the hometown of the state governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, the result sheets were not available. The governor refused to be accredited at unit 14, ward 18, after INEC officials failed to produce results sheets for the election.
The same problem occurred at Beere in Khana Local Government area, and Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA where Senator Magnus Abe and APC chairman in the state, Dr Davies Ibiama Ikanya refused to be accredited.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, told journalists that the governor refused to be accredited because, “he could not subject himself to accreditation when the required election material meant for his unit could not be accounted for”.
In most of the polling units visited by our correspondents in Port Harcourt, Etche, Obio/Akpor, Eleme, Elelewon, Ndoni, Khana, Oyigbo, Ahoada, among others report sheets were not provided by INEC officials.
In Ozuoba and Kpite in Ikwerre and Tai Local Government Areas of the state, respectively, a soldier and two civilians were shot dead by suspected political thugs.
One of the civilian, Sampson Wona was said to have been shot dead while waiting to be accredited at a polling unit in Ozuoba, while the second civilian indentified as a member of the APC was murdered in Kpite in Tai LGA.
Brigade Commander, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, Koko Essien, confirmed the incident, when he spoke with Governor Amaechi at Ubima.
Shortly after the incident, the APC in the state alleged that scores of its members were killed, 100 arrested and many disenfranchised.
The party in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Public Affairs to the APC State chairman, Chukwuemeka Eze, said the killings were carried out by hoodlums suspected to be acting for the Peoples Democratic Party.
The party attached photographs of the slain persons to the statement to prove its claims.
The statement reads, ‘Today (Saturday) presidential and National Assembly elections have turned out to be big nightmare for the APC in Rivers State, with the members being killed , attacked and disenfranchise in various parts of the state.
“Armed militias working for the PDP have intensified their killings of APC members. Scores have already been killed and several others marked for elimination.
‘This morning (Saturday) in Kpite town, Tai Ward 2 and other areas of the state, five people were shot dead by PDP’s armed militia, and that was before accreditation commenced.
‘It is sad that the PDP and its collaborators are targeting APC strongholds and chieftains for attacks and killings. To intimidate our people and contrary to the court ruling forbidding the use of army in this election, there has been a massive deployment of soldiers in the state with clear instruction to shoot at sight any APC agent that refuses to comply with the evil plot of the PDP to write the results of the election in some designated areas of the state in favour of the PDP.”
The statement claimed that an APC leader and former Commissioner in the state, Chidiebere Okwuwolu, was arrested and being detained at Olu Obasanjo Police Station in Port Harcourt, while 99 other APC members and leaders were being held in various police stations in the state.
But the state publicity Secretary of the PDP, Samuel Nwanosike debunked the APC allegations, saying his party was not interested in attacking or killing anybody to win elections.
Describing APC’s claims as mere propaganda to get the sympathy of the people, Nwanosike said while the PDP was working hard to win the elections, the APC was busy making frivolous allegations.
All efforts to get the reaction of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state Gesila Khan was unsuccessful as her phone was switched off.
However, Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections in Rivers State were marred largely by violence, irregularities, malpractices and refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to display the results sheets in most of the polling units across the state.
Elections in most communities in Khana Local Government Area were last Saturday stalled following late arrival of electoral materials and alleged hijack of result sheets by some thugs.
According to the caretaker committee chairman in Khana LGA, Hon Derek Mene, thugs suspected to be working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stormed various polling units, shooting sporadically and snatching electoral materials.
At Lumbara community, the chairman said that gun totting youths scared everybody and vanished with result sheets making it impossible for people to cast their votes.
The chairman said he was personally denied accreditation and could not vote, pointing out that it was c same case in all Khana communities.
Mene, who addressed newsmen in Bori, during the election said there was no election in Khana as voters were harassed and intimidated by thugs and security personnel.
An APC stalwart, Barr Christain Mark also lamented the manhandling of APC members and agents by thugs and blamed the situation on the lack of preparation by INEC, which he accused of conniving with the PDP.
Violence were reported in Lorne Community ward 19, and some other communities in the area.
Meanwhile, there was massive turn out in Beeri community, the home town of the PDP House of Representative candidate for Kana/Gokhana constituency, Hon Dum Deekor. Speaking with newsmen after casting his vote, Hon Deekor thanked the people for the massive turn out and expressed confidence on the electoral process.
But eligible voters suspected to be supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were prevented by police and political thugs from voting any other than Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in almost every part of Andoni Local Government Area in Rivers State.
The Tide learnt that voters including APC state party chairman, Chief Davis Ibiamu Ikanya were prevented from proceeding to their polling units at Ikuru town, the home town of the state Deputy Governor and PDP’s Deputy National Chairman, Engr Tele Ikuru and Prince Uche Secondus, respectively.
Also at Ngo, the headquarters‘ of Andoni Local Government Area, the caretaker Committee Chairman, Hon Esuku Eme Esuku was barred from entering into the community by soldiers believed to be working for PDP in the area.
The chairman was also prevented from exercising his franchise.
Members of the APC alleged that police shot sporadically into the air to scare voters especially in units where APC was leading in Asarama and Unyeada.
Voters also alleged that thugs believed to be working for the PDP went round all the units in Asarama ward 9- Unyeada wards 6, 7 and 8 to intimidate and dismiss voters with light weapons. Our correspondents reported that some voters were beaten by the thugs, some were seriously injured, while election materials were hijacked and taken away to the house of a PDP chieftain where INEC officials and PDP supporters connived to rig the elections.
In Asarama, results sheets were not provided while card reader machine were intentionally abandoned despite the effectiveness of the machine for accreditation in the area.
The Tide also gathered that elections in Andoni were marred by violence as APC supporters were not allowed entry into polling units to exercise their franchise.
At Unit 8 ward 18 (Mba ward) in Etche Local Government Area, the absence of results sheets stirred confussion.
The presiding officer at the area confessed that the card reader slowed down the process. Some members had questioned the presiding officer over the non-availability of the result sheets and were not satisfied with the answer given.
Mr Nnadozie Uwuzi said, “ when we requested for the result sheet, the officials were not ready to provide it and instead, PDP members were saying if we don’t want to vote without the result sheet, we can go”.
“The next thing we saw was that they took away the box and other materials and whatever happens thereafter, we didn’t know. We did not vote in unit 8″.
But Nwogu Eke, a PDP member told The Tide that everything went accordingly and everybody was allowed to vote. It was a successful election.
At Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area, the story was also the same. After the accreditation which was delayed by the card reader, some persons boycotted the election because of the absence of result sheets.
APC member who gave his name as Samuel Amaechi, alleged that the PDP connived with the security and the INEC officials to rig the election.
‘When we noticed this, we boycotted the election, so the election did not hold’, Amaechi said.
At Omarchu Unit 6 ward 3 also in Ikwerre Local Government Area, same confusion trailed the exercise as APC said election could not hold.
But Nwakama Peter who said he is of PDP said, “the election here was peaceful, transparent, free and fair”.
The elections were also marred by various irregularities in Etche Local Government area of the state, which led to the boycott of the elections in the area.
The elections were boycotted across the 19 wards of the LGA due to the inability of INEC officials to provide the original result sheets across the polling units in the area. Although, before the election was halted there were incidents of gun shots at Ulakwo, the home town of Prince Emma Anyanwu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It was learnt that unknown gunmen stormed the house of a PDP chieftain where it was alleged that election materials meant for the ward were kept.
At Afara wards 1, trouble started when voters observed that the original results sheets were not made available. At Ward 2,3,4,5,6,7,8, the story was not different as the inability of the INEC officials to produce the original result sheets in all the units in those wards prompted voters to boycott the election.
In Obibi/Akwukabi wards 9, 10,12,13,14, 15,16,17,18 and 19 accreditation and voting had commenced in some of the units before questions about non-availability of the results sheets were raised.
Piqued by the development, voters demanded for the display of the result sheets in all the affected polling units in the area before the elections could continue.
Our correspondent who monitored the elections in some local government areas report that there was absence of security personnel in most polling units across the state.
Boye Salau/ Enoch Epelle/ Ike Wigodo/ Taneh Beemene/ Chris Oluoh and Akujobi Amadi
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.