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Tag: Rivers election

  • Wike, others get Certificates of Return

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has gotten his Certificate of Return.

    Wike won the March 9 governorship elections after polling 886,264 votes to defeat African Action Congress (AAC) candidate, Biokpomabo Awara, who scored 173,859 votes.

    The certificate presentation ceremony was held at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Port Harcourt.

    The Deputy Governor-elect, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, and the 32 lawmakers-elect of the House of Assembly were also issued their Certificates of Return.

    The certificate was presented by the National Commissioner in charge of Rivers, Bayelsa and Edo States, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu.

    After receiving his certificate, Wike chided the Army for what he described as its “negative” influence in the elections. He dedicated his victory/certificate to God, the people for their votes and support and to those who died.

    He said: “I dedicate this victory to the people of Rivers State and those killed in defence of votes and democracy. But for their sacrifice, we would not be here.

    “The duty of the Army is not to take over INEC office and carry out collation. We saw the Army take over INEC functions and that of the police. Go to Bori Camp, you will see INEC materials. Should it be there? But for God, we wouldn’t have been here. All powers came, but God intervened and that’s why we are here.”

    The governor urged his opponents to take advantage of his olive branch, saying it was extended in the interest of the state.

    The Army insists that its men were professional, taking no sides.

    INEC National Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who was represented by Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu, thanked the people for their contributions to the successful conduct of the elections. He said steps must be taken to change the narrative of elections in the state.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Obo Effanga said despite pressures and attacks, INEC conducted credible elections in line with extant laws.

    Thousands of people gathered at the Polo Field in Port Harcourt to celebrate the presentation of certificates.

    They kept vigil on Aba Road and proceeded to the Polo Club after the presentation. They sang songs of praises to God for the victory of the PDP.

    Wike, Harry-Banigo, National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, described the celebration as historic because it captures the aspirations of the people.

    Secondus described the election as the longest in the history of the country, spanning March 9 to April 3.

    According to him, all Rivers leaders are standing with Wike because he is working for the people and promoting Rivers’ interest.

    He said: “This governor hears directly from God. If you don’t have the fear of God, you cannot forgive others. He has opened his doors for everyone. Our advice is for our brothers to take the opportunity so that we can consolidate on his achievements.”

  • Bring perpetrators, sponsors of cultism in Rivers to book, AAC’s Awara tells FG

    THE governorship candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) in Rivers State, Biokpmabo Awara, has urged the Federal Government to bring to book the perpetrators and sponsors of cultism in the state. He made the call yesterday in an online statement. His words: “I condemn in its entirety, the killings taking place in different parts of Rivers State, as a result of cult-related activities.

    “It is quite unfortunate that our dear Rivers State will be experiencing this level of insecurity at this point in time, when other states are working very hard to enhance their economies and promote development”.

    Read also: My life under threat, says Awara

    “The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari should come to the rescue of Rivers people, since it is now obvious that the Rivers State government cannot  address insecurity in our state. “Inability of the Nyesom Wike’s adminstration to meaningfully engage the youths, by providing employment opportunities for them, has snowballed into the state of insecurity in Rivers State.”

  • My life under threat, says Awara

    Rivers State governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Biokpomabo Awara has raised the alarm on plots to assassinate him.

    Awara insisted that he was robbed of his victory in the March 9 governorship election by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who, according to him, connived with leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said: “Information reaching me is that thugs have been dispatched to assassinate me, even in Abuja, since I have refused to give up on my mandate.”

    Awara maintained that as at when collation of results was suspended on March 10, he had 281,000 votes, as against Governor Nyesom Wike’s 79,000 votes. But, he said, INEC officials quickly came to the governor’s rescue. He urged his supporters to be law-abiding and not opt for violence, even as he hoped that his “stolen” mandate would be reclaimed at the tribunal.

    The candidate was also displeased that his agent, Dr. Lawrence Chuku, was barred from the collation centre inside INEC office on April 2 and 3, but said the commission’s “compromised” officials and security personnel allowed Nenye Kocha, who was accused of impersonating AAC, as the party’s collation agent.

    But PDP chairman Felix Obuah said efforts dissipated by “evil forces” to subvert the people’s will failed.

    He was happy that almost one week after Wike’s victory, jubilation still pervaded the state.

    He said: “Never in the history of Rivers State has there been a singular occasion where all strata of the society – farmers, market men and women, fishermen, civil servants, pensioners, religious groups and even members of the opposition political parties rejoiced at an electoral victory.

    “How else could a people demonstrate total acceptability of a leader? How else could they express their love for that leader; a man that is passionate about the people’s welfare; a man who has defied every odd to prove that good governance is possible? Rivers people have shown that the victory of Governor Wike is well deserved…”

  • Rivers election tribunal grants substituted service on PDP, SDP

    The Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal yesterday granted applications for substituted service filed by two candidates for the House of Representatives.

    The Tribunal Secretary, Simon Aniefu, who addressed reporters yesterday after a sitting at the High Court, identified the candidates as Tony Boms of the Accord Party and Darlinton Peter Anaelechi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    Read also: Abe: I knew Supreme Court would strike out my motion

    Aniefu said the two have are challenging the declaration of Kingsley Chinda and Chisom Dike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winners of Obio/Akpor and Oyibo/Tai/Eleme Federal Constituencies.

    He said: “The respondents and their party will be served through substituted means to wit, pasting at their party secretariat. The mattered has been adjourned till May 9, which coincides with the inaugural sitting of the tribunal.”

    The Tribunal Secretary said six petitions have been filed, and while two have been entered,  substituted service have been granted for two, service is still ongoing for the other two.

  • Malami distances self from Rivers election

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar-Malami (SAN), has distanced himself from claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that he was working with Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, to void the result of the Rivers State governorship election.

    Malami’s spokesman, Salihu Isah, described the claim as ridiculous, and warned that the AGF should not be linked with the local politics in Rivers State.

    Read also: Amaechi, Malami plotting to void Rivers elections, PDP alleges

    He said: “I am not aware of any such ridiculous plan. There is nothing like that, to my knowledge. We are in a democracy, and there are institutions with powers to void elections if the need arises. That is not part of the responsibilities of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

    “So, they should not link him with such ridiculous claims. They should leave the AGF out of the local politics in Rivers State. There are better and more important issues to attract the attention of the minister.”

  • Rivers election: INEC declares Wike winner

    INCUMBENT Rivers State Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was yesterday declared winner of the March 9 governorship poll.

    The Returning Officer for the state, Prof Teddy Adias of the Niger Delta University, Otuoke,  Bayelsa State, declared Wike winner of the election after the collation of results from 21 of the states 23 local government areas.

    Prof. Adias said Wike polled 886, 264 votes to defeat the African Action Congress (AAC) candidate,   Biokpamabo Awara, who scored 173, 859.

    Declaring Wike winner, the returning officer said: “That I, this day confirm that I am the returning officer for this election and that Nyesom Wike of the PDP, having satisfied requirement of the law and scored the highest number of the votes, is hereby declared winner and stand elected.”

    According to the professor, 1, 130, 445 were accredited out of the 3, 048, 741 voters registered across the state for the elections. He gave the valid votes as 1, 123, 840 and 249, 324 votes either cancelled, or voided.

    Reacting to the development, AAC representative Nenye Okocha said: “As a party, we cannot begin to react at this time; we will have to look and study the result and then come up with our reactions.

    Read also: PDP, Secondus congratulate Wike, others on victory

    “In the face of what has happened in this venue in the last two days, it is transparent, but what happened here at INEC is different from what has happen on the field – most of the complaints that we heard, the protestations and the issues we raised had to do with what happened on the field. We have to marry the two together and that is why we will need time to study the two before we can come up with our reactions.”

    On his composure throughout the collation process, Okocha said: “Belligerence is not it, this is AAC, this is not PDP or APC; this is a new party with a  new vision that is trying to carry Nigerians along to a new way of thinking and reformation.

    “We don’t have to do things in the way it has been done in the past – thuggery, scandals and others – that is not the path the AAC is tolling, all the activities you’ve had in Rivers, the suspense, the protests, are the ways those that are supporting us in this state wish to express themselves, as a party, we are decent; we are bringing integrity into the electoral process and going foward, this is what you will continue to see.”

    The PDP agent and former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Austin Opara, congratulated Awara for his doggedness at the exercise and urged him to ignore any temptation for litigation.

    A former deputy governor of the state, Tele Ikuru, who sad the margin was wide, said it would have been wider but for the militarisation of the state.

  • My mandate was stolen, says Awara

    The Rivers State governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara, yesterday claimed to know why top officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are foisting Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the people.

    Speaking on a local radio, Awara alleged that the INEC leadership returned Wike as the governor to prevent him from being probed for his actions when he held the forte in the Education Ministry as minister.

    He named INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; the National Commissioner in charge of Rivers, Bayelsa and Edo states, May Agbamuche-Mbu; Rivers REC Obo Effanga and Administrative Secretary in the state Elder Etim Umoh as those offering Wike cover.

    According to him, his agent Dr. Lawrence Chuku was denied access into the collation centre AAC’s governorship candidate also accused INEC’s officials at the collation centre while Nenye Kocha, whom he accused of impersonating the AAC was allowed into the collation venue on Aba Road, Port Harcourt.

    Awara said: “I have the unit by unit results of the March 9, 2019 elections in Rivers State. When they observed that I was leading and they saw the danger coming, they quickly moved on March 10 to save Wike, by suspending the collation of the results, which they resumed on April 1. As at the time the collation was suspended, I had 281,000 votes, as against Wike’s 79,000 votes. So, they (INEC officials) quickly came to his rescue.

    Read also: Court dismisses AAC’s suit against Rivers election

    “We (AAC leaders) have written a petition on the electoral fraud in Rivers State to the INEC chairman, stating the actual results, but Prof. Yakubu will not take action.

    “Kocha is not the collation agent of AAC in INEC office, Port Harcourt. Dr. Chuku is the duly-nominated collation agent of AAC, but he was prevented by security personnel at the gate of INEC’s office in Port Harcourt from moving to the collation centre.

    “I want Rivers people to be calm. We are going to reclaim the stolen mandate. We should not be troubled and we should never opt for violence.

    “I want Rivers people, especially my teeming supporters, who are being pained by what they are seeing, to keep hope alive. Victory is certain. We are going to bring back the stolen mandate.”

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in the state, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, stated that the results would not stand the test of time.

    He urged Wike and his supporters not to rejoice yet.

  • Court dismisses AAC’s suit against Rivers election

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit by the African Action Congress (AAC) and one other, querying the propriety of handling of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State, particularly as it relates to the announcement of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Justice Inyang Ekwo yesterday said the since the case was about an election that had been held, it was appropriate for the plaintiffs to take their case before an election tribunal.

    The suit has AAC, Biokpomabo Festus Awara and Pastor Ben-Gurion John Peter as plaintiffs, with INEC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as defendants.

    The plaintiffs said INEC had earlier admitted that the election was marred by violence which compromised its credibility, and so it suspended the election.

    Red also: Rivers Polls: Wike, AAC’s Awara clash at stakeholders meeting

    They added that without calling for a fresh election, INEC announced that it was set to continue with the election from March 20.

    The plaintiffs prayed the court for, among others, an order cancelling the already held Governorship and House of Assembly elections, and an order directing the conduct of fresh elections.

    Justice Ekwo said the reliefs sought by the plaintiff’s, which include prayers for the cancellation of an already-held election and the stoppage of further collation of results of the election, are post-election in nature.

    He said such prayers, on which the electoral tribunal has exclusive jurisdiction, could not be entertained by the regular courts.

    Justice Ekwo said his court has no jurisdiction to grant any of the prayers contained in the plaintiffs’ originating process.

    According to him, the court has earlier held in a similar case, that once an election has been held, the Federal High Court no longer has jurisdiction to entertain and determine any litigation touching on such election.

    Justice Ekwo said the case by the AAC and others was an attempt to litigate election issues in disguise.

    According to him, hearing the case will amount to an attempt by the court to constitute itself into an election tribunal, “a capability it does not have constitutionally”.

    He said: “I find that issues in this case are post-election in nature and do not belong to the realm of this court. Therefore, the preliminary objection of the second defendant succeeds and accordingly, I declare jurisdiction.

    “Now, it is the law that where the preliminary objection succeeds, there is no need to go further to consider arguments in support of other issues or issues for determination.

    “So, at this point, I make an order dismissing this case for want of jurisdiction.”

  • Breaking: Wike ahead as INEC continues collation in Rivers

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in the lead so far in the ongoing resumption of collations for the governorship poll.

    Some of the local government results declared by INEC officials, who have gone on recess for a few minutes, are below:

    Opobo/Nkoro LGA:

    PDP===6,314

    AAC===3, 888

    Bonny LGA:

    PDP=== 10, 551

    AAC=== 3, 046

    Okrika LGA:

    PDP=== 25, 572

    AAC=== 3, 803

    AKuku-Toru LGA:

    AAC ===36, 661

    PDP === 25, 765

    Omuma LGA:

    PDP=== 15,792

    AAC===1, 853

  • Breaking: Court dismisses AAC’s suit against Rivers election

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit by the African Action Congress (AAC) and one other, querying the propriety of handling of the last governorship and State Assembly elections in Rivers State, particularly as it relates to its announcement of the results, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment on Tuesday said the since the case was election-related, it was appropriate for the plaintiffs to take their case before an election tribunal.

    The Justice Ekwo declined jurisdiction and dismissed the case.

    The suit, marked FHC/ ABJ/CS/303/2019,has AAC, Engr Biokpomabo Festus Awara and Pastor (Dr.) Ben-Gurion John Peter as plaintiffs, with INEC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Read Also: Supreme Court to hear appeals on Rivers’ APC’s dispute April 4

    The plaintiffs noted INEC had earlier admitted that the election in Rivers State was marred with substantial violence that compromised the credibility of the entire process, and thereby suspended the election.

    They added that without calling for a fresh election, INEC announced, via a press release, that it was now set to continue with the election from Wednesday, 20th March 20 19.

    Details shortly‎.