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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.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.
