South-east, South-south Group Want to Break Away from Nigeria…Push for Self-Determination

A regional advocacy group, The Lower Niger Congress has advocated a referendum of the people of the South-south and the South-east regions.

The Secretary-General of the Congress, Tony Nnadi, said at the Solemn Assembly of Ethnic Nationalities in Port Harcourt that the people of the two regions at the occasion unanimously agreed to seek a referendum by the people to decide the future of Nigeria, as Scotland did in relation to the United Kingdom.

PDP Challenges Gov Amaechi’s Panel of Inquiry in Court

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has instituted a suit at the federal high court in Port Harcourt challenging the setting up of a panel of inquiry by Governor Chibuike Amaechi to investigate the politically motivated violence and killings for and during the just concluded general elections in the state.

The PDP in a suit said governor Amaechi is not qualified to set up a commission of inquiry having been partisan and personally involved in the subject matter of the proposed inquiry of which he accused the PDP of masterminding.

The PDP said that the subject matter of inquiry which relates to allegations of politically motivated killings and violence against persons and property in the state are criminal in nature which only the police and the judiciary has the powers to investigate.

Rivers PDP Accuses Amaechi, APC of Setting Aside N4.5Bn to Bribe Election Tribunal, Conduct LG Election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has alleged that Rivers State Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have set aside N2 billion to bribe judges of the election petition tribunal  sitting in Abuja to nullify the April 11 governorship election in the state.

The media and publicity secretary of the PDP campaign organisation in Rivers State, Emma Okah also alleged that the Rivers State Government has approved N2.5 billion to conduct the proposed local government election. 

The PDP said Governor Chibuike Amaechi allegedly directed his financial officers to effect the deal in a meeting it had with them at the Rivers State Government House in Asokoro, Abuja.

The party further alleged that the entire N4.5 billion would be paid to the account of the state government as a conduit to cover the money he amassed for the planned inducement of the tribunal.

Rivers Govt Declares Support for Holding LG Election May 23rd

The Rivers State Government has declared its support for the conduct of Local Government Council elections in 22 out of 23 local government areas of the state come May 23.

A statement issued by the State Commissioner of Information and Communication, Ibim Semenitari said the timing of the elections meets with the provisions of Rivers State Local Government and Electoral Commission Law.

They said the plan and election was also consistent with Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s declaration that local government elections would hold after the 2015 general elections.

Another Member of Rivers NMA Kidnapped

The Rivers State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said unknown gunmen have abducted one of its members, Dr S.N. Amaechi.

The association said the abductors killed a policeman attached to their colleague during the operation.

NMA Chairman in Rivers State, Dr. Furo Green said the incidence occurred last Friday night close to Dr. Amaechi’s residence at Orazi axis at Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

House of Assembly Elections in Rivers to Be Concluded on April 18

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State has fixed Saturday, April 18, for a rerun of House of Assembly elections in four local government areas of the state where elections were declared inconclusive.

The affected local governments are Emohua, Opobo/Nkoro , Ahoada East Constituency I and II, Etchie Constituency I and II.

The Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gesila Khan in a statement on Wednesday, said elections would hold only in the wards and units where elections were declared inconclusive.

3 Rivers Governorship Candidates Call for Cancellation of April 11 Elections

Some governorship candidates in Rivers State have called for the cancellation of April 11 elections in the state.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Charles Ari, at a press briefing on behalf of APC and SDP counterpart; Dakuku Peterside and Minibi Harry, said the elections were marred by irregularities.

Ari also alleged that the election witnessed widespread shooting, maiming and intimidation of voters all over Rivers State.

He said: “the high levels of violence and misconduct recorded in almost all areas of the state leave us as bearers of our people’s destiny with no choice other than to insist that the purported said elections held in Rivers State today April 11^th 2015, must be cancelled because it does not reflect the will of our people.”

Wike Wins Rivers Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Nyesom Wike, as winner of the Rivers State governorship election.

The Returning Officer of the election and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Fayode Oruwese, declared the result, today April 13, at the INEC headquarters in Port Harcourt.

He said Nyesom Wike won in 20 local government areas with over a million votes to defeat his closest challenger and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside who pulled 124, 896 votes.

Oruwese also said the Labour Party candidate, Prince Tonye Princewill, came third with 10, 142 votes.

“ I professor Fayode Oruwese hereby certify that i was the returning officer for the Rivers State election held on the 11^th day of April, 2015. Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside of APC received 124, 896 votes. Wike Ezenwo of PDP received 1, 029 102 votes and that Wike of PDP having satisfied the requirements of the law and having scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and is retained elected,” Oruwese said.

Amaechi Describes Governorship, House of Assembly Election in Rivers as Sham

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has declared the governorship and state house of assembly election in the state as a sham.

Amaechi came out with shortly after voting in Ward 32 unit 14, Obima Community in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

He said he received reports of numerous hijack of election materials by hoodlums and the killing of about five persons including a policeman in the state following election violence.

INEC Declares Inconclusive Saturday’s Election in some Parts of 6 LGs in Rivers

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State has declared inconclusive election in some wards and units in six local government areas of the state.

The affected local government areas are: Abua/Odual Ward 1 in unit 1-20, Asari Toru Ward 13, Bonny Ward 12, Emohua Ward 4 and Obio/Akpor Ward 15 and 16.

Others are Degema Ward 11 and 12, while INEC said no election was conducted in Degema Ward 13.

INEC Resident Election Commissioner, Gesila Khan, however, said elections took place in all the 23 local government areas of the state.

Patience Jonathan Replies Ameachi’s Allegation that She’s in Rivers to Rig Election

Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has denied allegations made by the Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, that she was in the state to pressure INEC’s Resident Electoral Commission in the state, Gesila Khan, into rigging the governorship election in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and by implication, Nyesom Wike.

The First Lady, who arrived Rivers State on Wednesday April 8, said she was only in the state to be welcomed by her kinsmen who had applauded her for the support she gave to her husband.

In a statement released by Director of Information in her office, Ihuoma Priscilla, she said:

Ghanain Actor, John Dumelo Robbed!

Handsome Ghanaian actor, John Dumelo, said he was robbed yesterday by thieves in labone, Ghana.

John Dumelo said the thieves broke into his car, took his travelling bag that contained his laptop, passport and other valuable items and also some amount of money.

He is pleading with everyone to be on the lookout and inform the police of any information that could lead to the recovery of the stolen items.

See his plea which he made on social media and a clearer picture of his car after the cut...

Minister of Sports Alleges Amaechi is Pressuring Army to Release Arrested APC Thugs

The Minister of Sports, Tammy Danagogo has accused the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, of pressuring security operatives some suspected armed political thugs caught in Abonima in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.

Danagogo in a telephone interview on Friday said those arrested were not indigenes of Abonima and were seen by community vigilante group who went on a search of the area and discovered that thugs were armed to teeth with sophisticated weapons.

He said: “the governor came here and what the public is saying he came to do is to press the army to release armed thugs that were arrested. Over 100 armed thugs were arrested over the night. Apparently they were brought in by the APC and the people went and reported and the army arrested them. As i talk with you now, they are detained.”

Rivers Election: APC Accuses PDP of Haijacking Result Sheets in some LGs

With just few minutes into the commencement of accreditation process for the voting, there are already reports of malpractices in some areas from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Obio/Akpor, Tony Nwokocha, alleged that sensitive materials have been hijacked by a rival party.

‘Escort Individuals to Polling Units and be Arrested and Dismissed’- AIG Warns Policemen in Rivers

Zone Six police command has vowed to dismiss any policeman who escort politician to polling units during today’s governorship and state house of assembly elections in the zone.

Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone Six, Tunde Ogunsakin, handed down the warning while addressing police personnel deployed to Rivers State for the election.

Ogunsakin said the move was to prevent intimidation of the electorate. 

He also said policemen attached to individuals have no business in the polling booths today.

Paul Okoye's Son, Andrea Turns 2

Paul Okoye of Psqaure shared his son's pictures as he turns two years today, April 10, 2015. Paul and Anita welcomed their son Andrea on April 10th, 2013.

Ijaw Youth Council Distances Self from Threat of Going Back to Militancy

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has distanced itself from threats by one of Niger Delta agitator, Asari Dokub, to return to the creeks to protest the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 elections.

The President of IYC, Udengs Eradiri, made the clarification in Abuja in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting of the Ijaw Youth Council.

Amaechi Says 3 Persons Have been Arrested for Killings in Rivers’ LG

The Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, said three people have been arrested in connection with the killing in Obirikam, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.

He said this at town hall meeting in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The governor also said the divisional police officer in the area has been charged.

Amaechi confirmed that those arrested have been giving useful information on the killings in Obirikam.

Meanwhile, the governor had urged residents in the state to come out and vote in tomorrow’s election while assuring that security would be adequately provided for in all the polling units.

The governor also commended the efforts of the state security task force for the arrest of five persons with 3 AK 47 rifles and assorted ammunition at the Mile 4 Wimpey Area in Port Harcourt.

Report said that those arrested were allegedly hired by some top politicians to create violence on Saturday’s election.

Security Agencies in Rivers Pledge Neutrality, Impartiality for April 11 Elections

Security Agencies in Rivers State has pledged to be neutral and impartial come April 11 Elections.

The decision was announced by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Hassan Kamar, shortly after the meeting with governorship candidates of the three major political parties in the state.

Kamar also directed police personnel attached to individuals to wear civilian clothing and stay away from polling units on election day.

He said: “on this note i want to assure each and every one of us here that we the security agencies have agreed as a body that we are going to be non partial, we are going to create a level playing ground for each and everyone who is going to involved in this exercise. And we have equally passed the same message to our footmen who are going to be deployed in the field. We will continue that neutral and impartiality.”

Amaechi Accuses Patience Jonathan of Pressurising INEC to Rig Rivers Guber Polls

The Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, has accused First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, of  putting pressure on INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Gesila Khan, to rig Saturday’s  Governorship and House of Assembly elections in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

At a town hall meeting at the Dr Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, the state capital, Amaechi said the first lady, who arrived Rivers State on Wednesday, had been holding series of meetings with senior officers of the security agencies including the REC, Khan.

Igbos, Yorubas, Ijaw Eastern Zone in Rivers Endorse Dakuku Peterside

Igbo community in Rivers State said it has given its support to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Dakuku Peterside.

The president of Igbo community, Samuel Ubaka, made this known at a large meeting with Igbos and Igbo title holders in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He said: “in our meeting today we had a resolution that every Igbo man living in Rivers State mst vote for APC governorship candidate, Hon. Adol Dakuku Peterside. We have reached this decision because we want to ensure that no Igbo man living in Rivers State travels. 25 percent of the properties you see in Rivers State are owned by Igbo men, so we should stay here to vote to protect out interest.”

Rivers Former Gov, Rufus Ada-George Calls for Peaceful Election

A former governor of old Rivers State, Rufus Ada-George, have called on Rivers people to vote peacefully on Saturday April 11.

Ada-George in a statement it signed said Rivers State had to be in tandem with government at the centre. 

He emphasiased that Rivers State working with government at the centre would enhance their political relevance, attract federal presence and ensure development and also protect and preserve the unity and prosperity in Rivers State. 

According to the statement he signed, Ada-George said Rivers State had for four years enjoyed political relevance and development through its age long tradition of always aligning with government at the centre.

Pioneer Founder of PDP in Rivers, Chibudum Nwuche Resigns

Former deputy speaker of the House Of Representative and a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Chibudum Nwuche has resigned his membership of the PDP.

In a letter signed by Nwuche and addressed to the National Chairman of PDP, Adamu Muazu, Nwuche said he had watched with dismay the PDP descending to cabalism and god- fatherism.

INEC REC in Rivers Discourages Rumour Mongering...NYSC Calls for Better Welfare of Corp Members

Gesila Khan

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Gesila Khan, has advised politicians and some Rivers people to stop peddling falsehood over Saturday April 11, elections.

She said that rumour mongering which has become prominent in some political parties in the state was not in the interest of the people of the state.

She said: “I will still reemphasise that my good people of Rivers State should desist from rumour mongering. Rumour mongering does not help anybody and it does not do the society any good. When people are not properly informed it can lead to violence, it can lead to distrust and many other things. INEC office is a public office. 

TUC Calls for Enactment of Law to Try People with Unexplainable Wealth

The Trade Union Congress, (TUC), Rivers State chapter, has advocated for a law to try people who suspected of amassing wealth they cannot explain its source.

Chairman of the TUC in Rivers State, Chika Onuegbu, said TUC wants the law to come to effect when Muhammadu Buhari takes over power.

IG Sends More Police Officers to Rivers to Forestall Political Killings

Political killings in the some parts of the country especially in Rivers State has become worrisome that the Inspector General of Police (IG), Suleiman Abba, had deployed more police personnel to the state and other volatile states.
The IG said this on Tuesday, at a conference in Abuja with the commissioners of police.

He said “We are re-strategising on the crime prevention and control and that is why we are deploying more officers to states like Rivers and other volatile ones. We have so far arrested three suspects in connection with the Enugu State bomb blast and so far, we have arrested 124 people for different electoral offences.”

All Killers of APC Supporters in Rivers Will Face Prosecution - Amaechi

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, has said that he would fish out all those involved in the brutal killing of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State during the electioneering period.
He said this on Monday, during a condolence visit to the family of late Chief Christopher Adube in Obirikom, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.

He said that the perpetrators would face the full weight of the law.
Adube, alongside three of his children, his younger brother, lyke Ikechukwu and his two gatemen were shot dead last Friday in his Obrikom residence while two of his children who were wounded by bullet shots are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

Nigerian Navy Arrests 7 Suspected Criminals Along Bonny Waterway

The Nigerian navy forward operating base FOB in Bonny said it has arrested seven suspected sea pirates responsible for terror activities on the Bonny Waterways.

The Base Commanding Officer of Navy, Captain Hassan Dogara said this shortly after handing over the suspects to men of the Nigerian police.

He said they were arrested two weeks ago while robbing a crew on a vessel named Empty Honour.

The commanding officer FOB Bonny also said the suspects were arrested with two AK 47 rifles, 90 round of ammunition, nine GSM phones with the sum of N5800.