Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has raised concerns over the escalating crisis in Rivers State, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene in resolving the dispute between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

In a statement on Tuesday by her media aide, Israel Arogbonlo, she called on the President to ensure that the minister focuses on his duties in the FCT, allowing his successor to govern Rivers State as mandated by the constitution.

Akpoti-Uduaghan noted that the crisis, marked by violence, intimidation, and alleged electoral malpractices, poses a serious threat to the peace and stability of both the region and the country at large.

The senator stressed the need for immediate presidential intervention to protect lives and property, maintain the neutrality of state institutions, and prevent further escalation of the conflict.

“The situation in Rivers demands urgent attention, and I implore Mr President to take decisive action to prevent further escalation.

“We cannot afford to watch as the crisis deepens, threatening the stability of the region. President Tinubu’s leadership is crucial in resolving this impasse.

“If left unchecked, the crisis may undermine Nigeria’s democratic progress, embolden perpetrators of violence and electoral malpractices, and threaten national security and stability,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stated.

The Action Alliance candidate, Uzodinma Nwafor, has been declared the winner of the chairmanship election in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Chairman of Rivers State Independent National Electoral Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), made the declaration on Sunday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Enebili also revealed that the AA also clinched all the 19 councillor positions in the local government.

The Senate Minority Leader, Comrade Abba Moro has rejected the local government election conducted in Benue State on Saturday, 5th October, describing it as a sham and an insult to democracy.

Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC, on Sunday declared the All Progressives Congress, APC winner of all the 23 LGAs.

Reacting, Moro, the senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, said in a statement by his media aide, Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John, that reports from polling units across his senatorial district indicate that elections did not hold.

According to him, election materials and officials of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC “were not seen anywhere except in the premises of APC leaders where ballots were thumb-printed for their candidates”.

The senator expressed disappointment in the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, “for not standing by the truth and due process as promised during his electioneering campaign”.

Moro said he expected the governor, as a priest, to push for a paradigm shift by doing what’s right, and not referencing and copying what was wrongly done in the past.

He said democracy was fiercely fought for, with some people paying the supreme price, stating that anti-democratic forces will not be allowed to destroy the system.

The Action Peoples Party in Rivers State has won 22 of the 23 chairmanship positions contested in Saturday’s Local Government Elections.

The Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, described the elections as free and fair.

Announcing the results, Mr Enebeli said that the winners secured two-third majority votes in their respective wards across the 23 Local Government Areas in the state.

He said, “Results for 19 Wards in Etche LGA are still being collated, while the results for the 319 councillorship positions across the 23 LGAs will be announced in due course.’’

Mr Enebeli further said that elections were conducted in all the 6,866 units in 319 Wards, with 18 of the 19 political parties participating.

“The elections, which concluded at 3 p.m., recorded a significant voter turnout, with many defying the rain to cast their ballots,” he said.

He commended the political parties and residents for their dedication to ensuring a smooth election process. The RSIEC boss declared those who polled the highest number of votes duly elected chairman of their respective LGAs.

The list of the successful chairmen included Vincent Obu (Abua/Odual), Chibudom Ezu (Ahoada-East), Iyekor Ikporo (Ahoada-West), Tonye Briggs-Oniyide (Akuku-Toru), Lazarus Nteogwuile (Andoni), and Dr Sule Amachree (Asari-Toru).

Others were Dame Anengi Barasua (Bonny), Dr Harry Agiriye (Degema), Brain Gokpa (Eleme), David Omereji (Emohua), Monday Dumiye (Gokana), and Israel Abosi (Ikwerre).

Also declared winners were Martins Nwigbo (Khana), Chijioke Ihunwo (Obio/Akpor), and Isaac Umejuru (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Ishmael Oforibika (Ogu/Bolo), Igwe Achese (Okrika), and Promise Reginald (Omuma).

Others were Enyiada Cookey-Gam (Opobo/Nkoro), Gift Okere (Oyibo), Ezebunwo Ichemati (Port Harcourt) and Matthew Dike (Tai).

The declaration of the results was witnessed by agents of the 18 political parties, members of the Nigerian Bar Association and the civil society groups, among others.

The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has condemned the explosion at its secretariat along Aba Road in Port Harcourt on Saturday morning, saying the party is under attack in the state.

The former caretaker committee chairman of the state APC, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this while fielding questions from newsmen in Port Harcourt about the explosion.

Recall that an explosion from a device suspected to be dynamite rocked the APC secretariat in the early hours of the local government election, with one of the gates of the secretariat pulled down, while buildings inside the office were damaged,

Aside from the doors, windows and other property destroyed, the windows of a two-storey adjoining building were also shattered due to the explosion.

Okocha noted that he woke up to see that his mobile was being inundated with several calls early on Saturday, saying he was informed of the incident when he eventually answered.

He, therefore, wondered about the attackers’ motive when the election was not taking place at the APC secretariat.

According to him, “The point to make or to emphasize is the fact that the APC is under attack in River State, and this attack is very unnecessary and uncalled for.

“Luckily, some of you were here with us yesterday (Friday) when we briefed the press to remind Nigerians that there is a court judgment. It’s not a court order. It’s not an interim order of the court. It is not an ex parte.

“There’s a court order in a matter that passed through the processes, and the judgment was reached. And in that judgment, the court was clear that the election slated for today did not comply with the constitution and the laws of the state.”

“And that, to that extent, it was declared illegal. You can see, too, that the same judgment barred the police and DSS from participating. Imagine where the police are not part of the election. Imagine where the DSS is also not part of our election. So, how do we secure people’s security, and how are we sure of their security?

“So, this morning, we woke up at 3:30 precisely. My phone kept ringing and ringing and ringing. When I picked up, it was my admin notifying me that our office had been attacked with explosives.”

Okocha stated that the police had visited the scene of the incident and also disclosed that security operatives were hunting members of the party.

He said, “The luck we had was that the one they threw at this particular spot did not detonate. If not, this building would have gone down.

“You can see the impact. This one was the second attempt. After they did the first one, they came back the second time to set this building ablaze.

“Look at this one too, and they also came here, the main office proper, to see how they can set the place on fire. We just thank goodness. This structure is not our own. It’s a rented apartment. And what do you think some people will be feeling right now?

He continued, “So we want to tell Nigerians that we are under attack. Our citizens, our leaders, are chased by their soldiers differently. When I say soldiers, I’m talking about uniformed soldiers.

“That’s what I’m talking about. They are chasing us everywhere. And we are not budging. So what they felt they would do is to come and destroy our party secretariat.

“There is no voting unit here. No voting unit. It’s purely the APC secretariat. So what was the attack? Why did they attack here? This is the second time. Every time there is an event in which the governor and his team are involved, APC will be marked out as scapegoats.

“So please help us to let Nigerians know that APC, her citizens, and her members are on serious attack and that we need security from the federal government because they will not offer us here, and certainly not. So we need security to be able to keep everybody who is a member of APC safe.”

“The reason we have said so is not that we cannot unleash mayhem or violence, but we are cultured, we are well cultivated, we respect the rule of law, and let the government respect the rule of law.

“Should we say okay, we want to go and retaliate, something else will happen. But we won’t take the laws into our hands. We implore the federal government and international community to see our plight in River State.

Also speaking, the former publicity secretary of the APC CTC, Chibuike Ikenga, condemned the bombing of the party’s secretariat and called for a proper investigation with a view to brining the culprits to book.

Ikenga stated, “Our call is that we need peace in the state, but proper investigations should be done so that the culprits of this dastardly act can be brought to book.

“But we need peace in Rivers State; like I always said, how do we achieve peace? We must achieve peace by obeying court orders, obeying, going through due processes, and respecting the rule of law.

“That’s the only way we can have peace and tranquillity. And then, of course, you know that there’s a relationship, correlation or nexus between peaceful coexistence and development, particularly as it affects good governance.”

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticized the Nigeria Police Force for its decision not to provide security for the local government elections in Rivers State, describing the move as unconstitutional.

This statement comes amid controversies surrounding the state’s election process.

In a press release signed by NBA President Afam Osigwe and shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the NBA condemned the police stance, insisting that it is a violation of their constitutional responsibility to ensure the safety of lives and property.

The statement, titled “The Nigeria Police Force Cannot Shirk Their Responsibility to Provide Security in Rivers State,” expressed deep concern over the police’s decision.

Osigwe pointed out the statement by Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, in which the police indicated that they would not be providing security for the elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024.

The NBA also noted allegations that some policemen had attempted to remove electoral materials from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office at night.

The NBA stated that while there may be court directives regarding the police’s relationship with the electoral commission, it does not absolve them of their fundamental duty to maintain peace and order during the election.

“The responsibility of the police to ensure peace and security in Rivers State is constitutional and cannot be restrained by any court.

“The Police must ensure they discharge their duties at all times, and they should urgently take steps to set aside any judgment that seeks to prevent them from fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities,” the statement read.

The NBA expressed concerns that the refusal to provide security could lead to lawlessness, undermining democracy and leaving the people of Rivers State unprotected.

The association called the police’s decision illegal, immoral, and a dangerous precedent that could harm the democratic process.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has been at loggerheads with the Inspector-General of Police over alleged bias, had vowed to proceed with the election despite the security challenges.

The NBA reiterated its commitment to monitoring the situation closely, warning that any refusal by the police to provide security for the elections would be a grave violation of the rights of the people of Rivers State.

This development adds to the tension in Rivers State, where the local government elections have been marred by legal battles, protests, and political conflict between key stakeholders.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on Friday morning stormed the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) over an alleged attempt by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force to take over the facility ahead of the local government elections.

It was gathered that the development occurred at about 1 am on Friday when the governor’s camp were informed of the attempt by the police.

According to a video clip, the policemen attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the commission to allegedly cart away sensitive electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.

Governor Fubara alongside his team, including government officials, federal and state lawmakers, top political stakeholders, and other leaders stormed the facility.

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 policemen who came in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will hold as scheduled on Saturday.

Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has criticised President Bola Tinubu following his two-week vacation in the United Kingdom, UK.

Lamido wondered if Tinubu had human empathy for opting to embark on a vacation when Nigerians wallow in economic hardship and insecurity challenges.

On Wednesday, the president departed Nigeria to the UK to commence a two-week vacation.

Disclosing this, Tinubu’s Special Advisor on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the president’s trip was part of his annual leave.

“He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.

“He will return to the country after the leave expires,” the statement said.

Reacting, Lamido accused president Tinubu of deliberately inflicting hardship on Nigerians.

In a Facebook post entitled: “Deaf, Dumb, Confounded,” Lamido said: “Does President Tinubu have the human empathy, compassion, love, care, and concern to ponder and reflect on Nigerians’ dire situations while in the comfort of Europe?”

Protests erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, as tensions rise ahead of the Local Government election scheduled for October 5, 2024.

The protesters, who arrived in large numbers at the party’s secretariat, forced security operatives to step in to control the crowd and manage traffic congestion in the area, reports Channels Television.

The unrest follows growing concerns over the delay in the release of the 2023 Voters’ Register by the Independent National Electoral Commission to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, in a ruling delivered on September 30, 2024, barred INEC from releasing the voters’ register to RSIEC due to legal challenges.

Despite the court ruling, Governor Siminalayi Fubara maintained that the election would go on as planned.

Fubara expressed confidence that the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling, which mandated that all states in the federation must have democratically elected local government executives, supports his position.

Governor-elect Monday Okpebholo has affirmed his resolve to prioritise the development of Edo.

Mr Okpebholo made the pledge during a thank-you visit to Governor Hope Uzodimma at the Imo Government House, Owerri, on Wednesday.

He said, “We have contested the election. By His grace, we have won the election, and we are here to tell you that the next step is to develop Edo.”

Okpebholo extolled the leadership, brotherly and fatherly role Uzodimma played during the governorship poll in the state.

“The confidence I have in you is that what you can do, you can do it anytime. I urge you to again play the role of the father of progressives on the 12th of November when I will be sworn in as governor of Edo.”

Mr Okpebholo was accompanied by former APC national chair Adams Oshiomhole, among other party chieftains.

Mr Uzodimma described the visit as “symbolic,” commending the governor-elect and his entourage for finding time to come.

“It is a thing of joy that the election came in Edo state, and our party won. I am particularly happy that Edo people and members of our party are happy with the victory at the election,” Mr Uzodimma said.

While congratulating Mr Okpebholo on his victory, the Imo governor prayed to God to grant him the wisdom to fulfil his campaign promises and give Edo a new look.

“Bring prosperity and development to Edo to justify the confidence reposed in you by the leaders and members of the party in the state and, indeed, the entire Edo indigenes.

“Go home with confidence with the support you have got from the people and the support you have got from President Bola Tinubu. What you will use to achieve that, you will not lack,” Mr Uzodimma said.

Mr Okpebholo emerged as the winner of the election with 291,667 votes to defeat the PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. The Labour Party candidate, Olumide Akpata, came third with 22,763 votes.

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The swearing-in took place during a ceremony at the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Villa on Monday, September 30, following the Senate’s confirmation of her nomination last week.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, is now the 23rd CJN and the second woman to ever hold this position in the nation’s history.

She had served in an acting capacity since August, following the retirement of her predecessor, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Dr Doyin Okupe, a former presidential spokesperson, has suggested that Vice President Kashim Shettima is one of the most brilliant and articulate politicians from the North.

Okupe made the assertion in a post on his X handle on Thursday, saying he has had to take a closer look at Shettima’s personality.

“From the time of GEJ Administration, I have not been someone you can call a friend of the VP Alh Shetima.

“But since he became the VP, I have had to take a closer look at his personae. This gentleman is probably one of the most brilliant, lucid and articulate politicians from the North,” he posted on X.

Okupe before now was a former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council.

However, in January this year, he dumped the Labour Party, citing ideological differences post-2023 election as the basis for his departure from the party.

A total of nine political parties will be participating in the forthcoming local government elections in Anambra State, slated for Saturday. .

This was revealed in a publication of final list of candidates by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission in Awka.

The political parties participating in the elections included Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Others are Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Only APGA fielded candidates for the 21 chairmanship and 326 councillorship positions while PDP fielded 18 out of the 21 chairmanship and 228 out of the 326 ward councillorship positions.

NNPP fielded eight candidates out of the 21 chairmanship and 37 candidates out the 326 councillorship positions while LP fielded six candidates for chairmanship and 12 for councillorship positions.

Accord Party fielded four candidates for chairmanship and four for councillorship positions, while YPP fielded three candidates for chairmanship and 44 for councillorship positions.

AA fielded one candidate each for chairmanship and councillorship positions, while SDP fielded one candidate for chairmanship nine for councillorship positions.

ZLP only fielded four candidates for councillorship position.

The All Progressives Congress did not field candidates as it officially withdrew from the local government elections, citing concerns over electoral irregularities.

The party announced its decision on September 8 and revealed plans to challenge the election process in court.

On Tuesday, the Kano High Court restrained 19 political parties from taking any action that could scuttle or frustrate the upcoming local government elections.

The applicant, Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), through its counsel Rilwanu Umar, filed a motion ex parte dated and filed on September 20.

The applicant is seeking the court to restrain the respondents from disrupting the electoral process in the 44 LGAs.

The respondents in the suit are the Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, All Progressives Congress, Allied Peoples Movement, All Progressive Grand Alliance, Boot Party and Labour Party.

Others are National Rescue Movement, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, Young Progressive Party, Young Party and Zenith Labour Party.

Justice Sunusi Ado-Ma’aji granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants from taking any action that will frustrate the plaintiff from discharging its statutory duties.

Mr Ado-Ma’aji adjourned the matter until October 10 for a hearing of the motion on notice.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on his victory in the Edo State governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday declared APC’s Okpebholo as the winner of the election.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu lauded APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors for their efforts in securing the win.

He described the victory as a testament to the people’s endorsement of the APC’s progressive ideals, economic reform agenda, and commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.

‘’President Tinubu commends APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors for working hard to achieve victory. He says the victory testified to the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, its economic reengineering programme and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.

He urges Senator Okpebholo not to gloat over his victory but to see it as a challenging call to service. He encourages him to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals and uniting the people of Edo State to ensure its development.

President Tinubu also praises other candidates who participated in the election for their contributions to advancing Nigeria’s democracy, saying peaceful political contests, such as the one on Saturday, portray Nigeria as a stable democracy.

The President urges all those aggrieved by the election outcome to seek redress through the legal channels.

In addition, the president commends the people of Edo State for their orderly and peaceful conduct during the election, underscoring the maturing of Nigeria’s democracy after 25 years.” the statement reads in part

President Tinubu further commended INEC and the security agencies for working round the clock to conduct a successful, peaceful and largely hitch-free exercise. He mentioned that INEC has once again demonstrated that it is committed to organising a free and fair election in our country.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has provided an update on the collation of results in the ongoing governorship election in Edo State.

The Commission, in a statement signed by Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner & Member Information and Voter Education Committee on Sunday, affirmed the conclusion of voting on Saturday and the activation of the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal and uploading of the Polling Unit results.

“The same results have also been collated from all the 192 Wards. Similarly, collation has been concluded in most of the Local Government Areas and the designated officials are already at the collation centre in Benin City or on their way. We are set to commence State-level collation,” the statement said.

“However, the Commission received a deeply disturbing report from our Resident Electoral Commissioner of a threat to our office in Okpoba Okha Local Government Area yesterday, resulting in a stampede in which one of our officials was injured.

“We are similarly disturbed by the overnight presence and demonstrations by some political actors and their supporters at our State Head Office ahead of the commencement of final collation. These actions are uncalled for. Nobody should disrupt the process at any stage and no one will be allowed to benefit from lawlessness.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the collation of result will proceed as provided by the Electoral Act 2022 and our regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections. There is a mechanism for redressing complaints during collation, including the power to review results declared under duress. The Commission will not hesitate to invoke such powers where necessary.

“Accredited party agents, observers and the media should be granted unimpeded access to all collation centres.

“The Commission calls on the security agencies to continue to maintain the same vigilance and professionalism that led to the peaceful conduct of the election as we conclude the process.”

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has explained his reason for visiting the Independent National Electoral Commission collation centre in Benin City, the state capital, in the early of today.

It was reported that the governor was on the INEC premises early on Sunday morning, around 2 am, and was there until he was escorted outside by the police led by Deputy Inspector General Frank Mba.

Members of the All Progressives Congress, led by Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Dennis Idahosa, led protesters to demand the exit of Obaseki from the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission at about 3.30 am on Sunday.

Minutes before Obaseki was led outside by Mba flanked by a contingent of policemen, All Progressives Congress National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, addressed journalists that the governor had no reason to be on the premises.

Addressing journalists on Sunday at the Peoples Democratic Party Situation Room in Benin, Obaseki said he was at the INEC office to meet the Resident Electoral Commission after getting reports that the commission had stopped collation.

He said, “At about 1 am, I got a report that collation was supposed to have been moved to the INEC head office. I also got reports from our agents that PDP agents were not allowed into the collation centre. At that point in time, I called the REC to find an explanation of what was going on. There was no response, and I then went to the INEC office to meet with the REC and to understand what steps INEC was taken to continue the process of collation.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has called for the immediate and unconditional release of voters, including its members and supporters, who were allegedly arrested during the ongoing Edo State governorship election.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP accused the All Progressives Congress, APC of orchestrating a coordinated plot with compromised police officials to intimidate and suppress voters.

The party condemned the arrests as part of a larger scheme to undermine the election and disrupt the success of its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

Ologunagba pointed to a specific incident where a voter was allegedly abducted by armed men linked to the APC while waiting to cast their vote at Uromi Ward 8, Unit 3.

He claimed the APC’s actions reflect their fear of defeat, as Ighodalo reportedly enjoys widespread support.

“The APC and their compromised police personnel should know that the game is up and that the people of Edo State will never be cowed to surrender in the face of aggression or terror,” the statement read in part.

The PDP urged Edo citizens to remain resilient and defend their democratic rights and votes.

The party reiterated that police harassment would not deter their path to victory, accusing the APC of “panic” as the election results began to unfold.