TheNewsGuru

Tag: Delta State

  • March 9 polls: INEC distributes election materials to LGAs in Delta

    March 9 polls: INEC distributes election materials to LGAs in Delta

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Delta on Thursday distributed election materials for the Governorship/House of Assembly polls to the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.

    The distribution of the materials took place in the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Asaba in the presence of political party agents.

    Speaking, INEC’s Head of Voters Education and Publicity in Delta, Mr. Bukola Ojeme, said the materials had been moved to the various local government areas of the state.

    “The Police and other security agencies are offering cover for the movement of these materials to the various local government areas.

    “No single sensitive material is missing and every material needed for the Governorship and House of Assembly elections have been sorted out.

    ”As you can see they are now moving them to the local government areas for onward distribution on Saturday.

    “From the various LGAs, they will be distributed to the polling units on Saturday morning. The materials were sorted and packed all through yesterday,” he said.

    Ojeme assured the people of the state that INEC was fully prepared for the Saturday’s election.

    “I am encouraging voters to come out en-mass on Saturday to exercise their franchise and we do believe this Saturday’s election has been well prepare for.” he added.

    According to him, nobody should entertain any fear as security agents are prepared to maintain peace during the election.

     

  • Robbery: Police arrest 32-year-old ex-soldier, one other suspect in Delta

    The Police Command in Delta State has arrested two robbery suspects Daniel Efe, a 32-year-old ex-soldier and Julius Osagba who specialise in car snatching.

    The Acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta Command, ASP Chucks Orisewezie, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Warri.

    Orisewezie said the a 32-year-old ex-soldier robbery suspect was apprehended by a team of policemen on Feb 21 along Sapele-Benin road in a Toyota Corolla car with fake registration number PBT 214 AA.

    “The suspect with the exhibit was transferred to the State Intelligence and Investigation Department, Police Headquarters, Asaba, where a thorough investigation was conducted on him.

    “During the investigation, the suspect confessed to the crime and admitted being a member of a syndicate. He was later discovered to be an ex-soldier who deserted the army as a sergeant.

    “However, the original plate number of the stolen vehicle which is WWR 121 AA was later recovered from the stolen vehicle,” he said.

    Orisewezie also said the same security team intercepted another Toyota Corolla car with fake registration number KMK 129 AE driven by Julius Osagba on Monday.

    “A thorough investigation by the intelligence officers at Asaba, led the suspect to confess to the crime.

    “The suspect, confessed that the registration number on the vehicle was fake and that he had thrown the original plate number into the sea,” he said.

    Orisewezie, however, warned criminals to steer clear Delta, saying that the command would use every legal security apparatus to bring criminals to justice.

    He, however, said that the suspects would appear in court after the completion of investigations.

    Recall that on Feb. 6 the anti-robbery team attached to the Ogwashi-Uku Police Division, near Asaba, killed a robbery suspect identified as Nonso Akubueze in a gun battle.

    The Divisional Police Officer, Tobi Debakeme, said the anti-robbery team acted on intelligence and confronted the robbery gang where they were robbing some residents.

    Debakeme said two of the gang members escaped with bullet wounds during a gun battle with the police, adding that the police would do everything possible to bring them to book.

     

  • Police in Delta warn vigilante groups to steer clear of election venues

    The Police Command in Delta has warned vigilante groups in the state to steer clear of venues for Saturday’s Governorship and State Assembly elections.

    The spokesman of the command, ASP Chucks Orisewezie, gave the warning in a statement on Wednesday.

    He said that the warning was in order to enable the police to maintain law and order during the elections.

    Orisewezie added that the warning was aimed at ensuring neutrality and impartiality in the electoral process.

    “Community vigilante, anti-cult groups, private security guards, and unauthorised security outfits are hereby warned to steer clear of the election (venues),“he said.

    He said that it was the sole responsibility of the police and other approved security agencies to secure INEC’s sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials, polling units, and facilities as well as protect officials and the electorate.

    According to the spokesman, the warning is coming against the backdrop of the recent arrest of some suspects, by a detachment of the Police Mobile Force.

    He said that the suspects, who were found to be in possession of pump action rifles, claimed to be vigilantes from Udu Local Government Area of the state deployed to CBN, Asaba by the Chairman to escort election materials.

    He said that the suspects have since been arraigned at the Asaba Chief Magistrate Court.

    Orisewezie said that the restriction of vehicular movement from 06:00hrs to 18:00hrs on election day by the command still stood.

    “The restriction is in the overall interest of peace and safety for all.

    “The commissioner of police wishes to remind the stakeholders that their security aides are not permitted to go with them to the polling booth where they are to cast their votes.

    “The commissioner of police solicits the support of the traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth leaders, parents and political stalwarts to talk to their, children, wards and supporters.

    “The commissioner of police assures Deltans that adequate security has been put in place to guarantee their safety as they go to the polls to exercise their franchise,” he said.

    He warned that the police would not fold its arms and watch hoodlums break the law unhindered.

    According to him, violators of the law will be sanctioned.

     

  • APC in Delta denies planning to disrupt Saturday’s polls

    APC in Delta denies planning to disrupt Saturday’s polls

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta has described as untrue the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it is planning to use ex-militants to disrupt Saturday’s elections in the state.

    The APC Publicity Secretary in Delta, Ogheneluemu Imonina, said in a statement issued on Wednesday in Asaba that PDP’s allegation was ludicrous, spurious and laced with lies and should be treated with levity.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, APC is a responsible and responsive political party with human feelings and respect for the will of the common people.

    “It is very clear to the discerning minds that the spurious and unfounded allegations of PDP in the said Press Release are a ruse and subterfuge to divert attention,” Imonina said.

    Chief Funkekeme Solomon, Director General, Delta PDP Campaign Organisation, on Tuesday in Asaba, alleged that the APC had concluded plans to use the ex-militants dressed in military uniforms to disrupt the elections across the state.

    “The APC, in its hell bent efforts to capture Delta State at all costs has set a dangerous plan in motion to mobilise a large number of ex-militants.

    “We have been informed that these ex-militants, when fully dressed as military personnel and armed with weapons, will now be deployed and filtered into PDP strongholds,” he alleged.

     

  • Delta Guber poll: Uduaghan fires back at his former Commissioner

    Delta Guber poll: Uduaghan fires back at his former Commissioner

    Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, former Delta State Governor, who lost the National Assembly elections as Delta Central Senatorial District candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), has fired back at Funkekeme Solomon.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Solomon who served under Uduaghan as commissioner for works, had in his capacity as Director General of the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organization, accused the former Governor of plotting to disrupt the March 9 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections in the State.

    Addressing a press conference, Solomon had said impeccable sources within the APC confirmed with certainty that the master-minds behind the plan to disrupt the elections also included the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and Chief Great Ogboru, APC governorship candidate in the state.

    He said Uduaghan, Oshiomhole and Ogboru planned to use ex-militants dressed in military uniforms to cause mayhem and disrupt the forthcoming elections in the state.

    ALSO READ || Campaign DG accuses Oshiomhole, Uduaghan of plotting to disrupt elections in Delta

    Reacting in a statement, Uduaghan said, neither the APC National Chairman nor himself had been known to be violent people.

    The statement reads: “My brother, my friend, my former Commissioner for Works, Funkekeme Solomon, I celebrate you today and always.

    “The anti-Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan virus has bitten you. Thought you will be the last person to manifest the symptoms. I was wrong.

    “As an inner caucus member of my team for over 14 years, I know you are well aware of my commitment and dedication to promoting peace. In and out of Government I will continue to do so. I have always preached against election violence.

    “You and I prepared for, executed and won several elections. Did we ever budget for thuggery? Did we ever buy guns or military uniforms?

    “I just contested for Senate in our Senatorial District. Where you told I used military uniforms or guns, or even any other weapon?

    “The APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, and I, have never been known to be violent people. We know those who have history of cultism and violence.

    “I pray you get what you have been promised, which has pushed you to raise the false alarm against us. Many who travelled this route are getting disappointed as they are coming out empty handed.

    “Please pray very hard to drop the “hate spirit”. Take care and remember always, “Back tyre nor dey overtake front tyre”.

     

  • Delta cannot be the same again – Buhari

    Delta cannot be the same again – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured voters in Delta of adequate security in Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at a town hall meeting in Warri on Monday, said that the issue of security was fundamental to the electoral process.

    The president said that special attention would be focused on security to enable the electorate exercise their franchise and check any form of intimidation.

    “What happened at the Presidential and National Assembly elections was a great victory, but the completion of the victory will come on Saturday when Great Ogboru will become the governor of Delta.

    “Delta cannot be the same again. Delta was our focus of attention, we wanted to see what will happen.

    “Delta has proved a very important point that it is ready for a change to the next level.

    ”Security is a fundamental issue and we will pay special attention to it,” he said.

    The president also urged leaders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to unite, saying “when we work together, we will emerge victorious on Saturday.’’

    Also speaking, the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomohole, commended the people for voting massively for the APC in the recent poll.

    He urged the voters to be courageous and vote overwhelmingly for Ogboru in Saturday’s gubernatorial election.

    ”You have substantially weakened the rigging machine of the PDP.

    “No one will provide unlawful security. Security operatives should ensure that votes are counted because President Buhari wants to have a cleaner election,” he said.

    Dr Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister for State for Petroleum Resources, described the occasion as “a unifying day for us to come and work together.’’

    Ogboru, in his opening remarks, had urged the government to provide adequate security to avoid a repeat of the violence witnessed in the state during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    ”Security issues should be looked into seriously, if there is adequate security, the electorate will turnout en masse to cast their votes,” he said.

    Participants, who spoke at the interactive session, all stressed the need for adequate security during Saturday’s elections.

    The event was attended by traditional rulers from the three senatorial districts of the state, religious and opinion leaders as well as market women and youths.

     

  • APC meeting in Delta complete with infectious enthusiasm, says Akande

    Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the stakeholders meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State was complete with infectious enthusiasm.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Akande also said the meeting in Warri, in which Osinbajo represented President Muhammadu Buhari, was “a widely attended event”.

    “VP Osinbajo now in Warri representing the President at an APC Delta State Stakeholders’ interactive forum, a widely attended event complete with an infectious enthusiasm,” Akande tweeted.

    President Buhari shelved the meeting citing “unforseen state duties suddenly arising” and drafted Osinbajo, who is billed to visit Akwa Ibom State for a scheduled Town Hall meeting today, to attend the stakeholders meeting in his stead.

    Details of the stakeholders meeting, which TheNewsGuru (TNG) will publish later, are still sketchy at the time of filing this report.

     

  • After PDP complain, Buhari shelves APC stakeholders meeting in Delta

    President Muhammadu Buhari has shelved the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders meeting scheduled to hold in Warri, Delta state today.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Senator Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, who made this known, said it was due to “unforseen state duties suddenly arising”.

    Enang said the President has delegated Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is billed to visit Akwa Ibom State for a scheduled Town Hall meeting today, to attend the stakeholders meeting in his stead.

    “His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has so delegated due to unforseen state duties suddenly arising. Time is 2pm, all other programmes remain the same,” the Senator said.

    Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State had earlier reacted to the President’s visit to the State.

    Ifeanyi Osuoza, State Publicity Secretary of the PDP in a statement on Monday, had said the President’s reported visit to the State was not altruistic.

    The statement reads: “As President Muhammadu Buhari visits Warri today, the second visit in about two months, it is not a surprise that tongues are wagging within the circles of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State that the trip is in bad taste, as the party supporters and Deltans in general are wondering why the president has always limited his visits to a microscopic Warri and ignoring the larger areas of the State.

    “However, while we of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Delta State will not get involved in the internal belligerent matters of a party that lives in factional disharmony, we urge the President not to get involved in sinister contrivances by working to use his office as President, to scheme and manipulate the electoral process.

    “We say this because of the March 9, 2019 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections, as we have it on good authority that Buhari’s trip is not altruistic, and has nothing to do with the good and progress of Delta State.

    “Already, the entire Delta State is abuzz with claims and insinuations and it is being openly said that the President and indeed the whole gamut of well known election manipulators and hatchet men in the national APC leadership, are visiting Delta State ostensibly to perfect an APC rigging plan and subvert the electoral process and the ultimate democratic decisions of Deltans who have sworn to return Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a well deserved second term and vote for all the PDP candidates in the March 9, 2019 State Assembly elections.

    “It is indeed a thing of shame that President Buhari will ignore other very important and urgent State matters to come to Warri to be at the head of a despicable scheme to manipulate and swing votes in favour of the unpopular APC and its candidates.

    “We condemn the president’s insensitivity to the sensibilities of the people of Delta State who have taken PDP as their party.“We also decry the shameful, slimy drive of Buhari and his detestable mission to use the power of State to secretly get the various agencies of the Federal Government, namely, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, the military and other security agencies to intimidate and harass PDP supporters, voters and subvert their democratic will and foist on the State an unpopular APC and its candidate.

    “While the foregoing is to seriously inform and educate the general public of Delta State, Nigerians and the world at large of the President’s tricks and treacherous game plan being schemed to thwart and by subterfuge subvert the already known will of Deltans who are poised to vote for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other PDP candidates, we warn that President Muhammadu Buhari must be held responsible for any complications that may develop from his inglorious interference in the voting process in Delta State.

    “Let the president be reassured that the people of Delta State are resolute in their decision to vote for the PDP candidates and keeping the party in Delta State. Certainly, he should understand that no amount of intimidation and other ill-conceived and devious ideas to thwart the peoples’ will shall thrive because Delta State is PDP and PDP is Delta State.

    “We totally condemn Mr. President’s moves and schemes and say that they are mean and uncomplimentary. It is curious why the President has chosen to visit Warri at a time like this in the heat of preparations for, and almost on the eve of the State elections in which his party, and the APC is the major opposition party.

    “We warn that he should not do anything that would be seen as his interference in the process that will make Saturday’s election not to be free, fair and credible.

    “On this note, we call on PDP faithful, leaders, supporters and faithful not to be intimidated, but should come out in large numbers to vote the PDP, ensure that their votes count.

    “We urge them to remain steadfast in standing by and for Governor Okowa’s re-election and all the PDP candidates”.

     

  • Guber poll: Delta PDP raises eyebrow as Buhari visits Warri again

    Guber poll: Delta PDP raises eyebrow as Buhari visits Warri again

    As President Muhammadu Buhari visits Warri today, the second visit in about two months, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State has said the President’s trip is not altruistic and has nothing to do with the good and progress of the State.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Ifeanyi Osuoza, State Publicity Secretary of the PDP made this position known in a statement on Monday.

    According to him, the entire Delta State is abuzz with claims and insinuations that the President is visiting Delta State ostensibly to perfect an APC rigging plan to subvert the will of Deltans.

    The statement reads: “As President Muhammadu Buhari visits Warri today, the second visit in about two months, it is not a surprise that tongues are wagging within the circles of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State that the trip is in bad taste, as the party supporters and Deltans in general are wondering why the president has always limited his visits to a microscopic Warri and ignoring the larger areas of the State.

    “However, while we of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Delta State will not get involved in the internal belligerent matters of a party that lives in factional disharmony, we urge the President not to get involved in sinister contrivances by working to use his office as President, to scheme and manipulate the electoral process.

    “We say this because of the March 9, 2019 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections, as we have it on good authority that Buhari’s trip is not altruistic, and has nothing to do with the good and progress of Delta State.

    “Already, the entire Delta State is abuzz with claims and insinuations and it is being openly said that the President and indeed the whole gamut of well known election manipulators and hatchet men in the national APC leadership, are visiting Delta State ostensibly to perfect an APC rigging plan and subvert the electoral process and the ultimate democratic decisions of Deltans who have sworn to return Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a well deserved second term and vote for all the PDP candidates in the March 9, 2019 State Assembly elections.

    “It is indeed a thing of shame that President Buhari will ignore other very important and urgent State matters to come to Warri to be at the head of a despicable scheme to manipulate and swing votes in favour of the unpopular APC and its candidates.

    “We condemn the president’s insensitivity to the sensibilities of the people of Delta State who have taken PDP as their party.

    “We also decry the shameful, slimy drive of Buhari and his detestable mission to use the power of State to secretly get the various agencies of the Federal Government, namely, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, the military and other security agencies to intimidate and harass PDP supporters, voters and subvert their democratic will and foist on the State an unpopular APC and its candidate.

    “While the foregoing is to seriously inform and educate the general public of Delta State, Nigerians and the world at large of the President’s tricks and treacherous game plan being schemed to thwart and by subterfuge subvert the already known will of Deltans who are poised to vote for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other PDP candidates, we warn that President Muhammadu Buhari must be held responsible for any complications that may develop from his inglorious interference in the voting process in Delta State.

    “Let the president be reassured that the people of Delta State are resolute in their decision to vote for the PDP candidates and keeping the party in Delta State. Certainly, he should understand that no amount of intimidation and other ill-conceived and devious ideas to thwart the peoples’ will shall thrive because Delta State is PDP and PDP is Delta State.

    “We totally condemn Mr. President’s moves and schemes and say that they are mean and uncomplimentary. It is curious why the President has chosen to visit Warri at a time like this in the heat of preparations for, and almost on the eve of the State elections in which his party, and the APC is the major opposition party.

    “We warn that he should not do anything that would be seen as his interference in the process that will make Saturday’s election not to be free, fair and credible.

    “On this note, we call on PDP faithful, leaders, supporters and faithful not to be intimidated, but should come out in large numbers to vote the PDP, ensure that their votes count.

    “We urge them to remain steadfast in standing by and for Governor Okowa’s re-election and all the PDP candidates”.

     

  • Guber poll: Gov. Okowa challenges Delta North, South

    A week to the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has challenged the people of Delta North Senatorial District to deliver the highest number of votes for candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the elections.

    The governor made the call on Saturday in an enlarged stakeholders meeting of the PDP in Asaba.

    “This election is not about party, it is about all Deltans, get everybody involved, an Anioma son is seeking re-election for Governor as his predecessors did, we know we will win in all the local government areas of our state but, the highest number of votes should come from Delta North”

    “Delta South that has the Deputy Governor has boasted to produce the highest number of votes but Delta North should take the lead; an area with more than 800, 000 registered voters should be able to produce more than 400, 000 votes and with proper enlightenment campaigns beyond party lines, we can do it.

    “It is a healthy competition between the three Senatorial Districts; our brothers from Delta Central are not relenting, we are using this election to speak with one voice that we are united as Deltans and that Delta State is PDP, PDP is Delta State.

    “I am confident of getting the highest number of votes from all the Senatorial Districts but, I will like the highest number of votes to come out from Delta North,” Okowa said.

    Those who spoke at the meeting includes Chief B.S. C. Elue, Prince Sam Obi, Senator Patrick Osakwe, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Dame Esther Uduehi, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, Prof. B.I.C. Ijeoma, Chief Moses Iduh, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon and Barr. Kingsley Esiso.

    Senator James Manager was also at the meeting in solidarity with Governor Okowa and they all reaffirmed their commitment to work with their relations, friends and colleagues across the state to ensure that the PDP records unprecedented number of votes in the governorship and state assembly elections.