TheNewsGuru

Tag: Delta State

  • 2019 elections: Delta residents express disappointment

    Large turnout of voters and late arrival of election materials characterized Saturday’s Presidential and National Elections in parts of Delta, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    However, voters have expressed their determination to wait and cast their votes despite the late arrival of materials and officials in the polling stations visited.

    At Uzoigwe Primary School School Ward 9 Asaba, which serves as Registration Area Centre (RAC) and a polling station with 15 polling units, voters trouped out to cast their votes.

    NAN reports that at 9am voting had yet to start at the polling station while election material had yet to leave the centre for other polling units.

    The SPO, Mrs Stella Marist Ogbomma told NAN that she arrived the centre at 4am but was allowed in at 6am, adding that distribution of election materials were ongoing.

    Mr Augustine Moka said he arrived at the polling station to cast his vote but no one had told voters anything.

    “I am excited nonetheless and I will stay here until I cast my vote; but at the same time I am not impressed about the goings on. I still stay till whenever to vote.

    Another voter, Mr Williams Ezugwu said: Most times we keep preparing for events but not doing it the way we should. See the crowd here and nothing is set.”

    At Ugbommanta Ward 11, Asaba, election materials and official had yet to arrive at 8.50am but voters were seen waiting.

    Mr Henry Ogbolu said that he expected that with last week’s postponement of the exercise, the election would take off as scheduled.

    “It is still the old INEC system, but we are out to vote and must wait until they come and we will vote,” he said.

    Mr Apostle Akpan who said he had not participated in an election in Nigeria before now, said he was not impressed about the absence of election officials and materials.

    At Abraka Model Primary School, units 3 and 4 in Ethiope East, voting had yet to start at 8. 50 while the situation was the same at Abraka Town Hall Unit 2.

    Mr Philip Edijana sadt at Town Hall Unit 1 that he had been there since 7.40 am and up till 9.50am accreditation and voting had not commenced.

    Mrs Blessing Ogheneovia, said, “I am here to cast my vote; I hope our votes will count.”

    NAN reports that voters were waiting at Ward 6 and Ward 7 units 1 to 10 in Iselle-Uku, Oshimili North Local Government Area at 9.23am with no official and materials at the polling stations.

     

  • Rescheduled Polls: We might have a problem in Delta, if… – REC

    Dr Cyril Omorogbe, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Delta has said there might be problem with the conduct of elections in the state on Saturday if some needed items are not delivered by Friday 2 p.m.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Omorogbe, who stated this while addressing newsmen in Asaba on Wednesday, said only part of the sensitive materials were delivered to the state before the shift in the elections was announced.

    He said that materials yet to be sent to the state for Saturday elections were still being expected.

    Omorogbe disclosed that the commission had deployed some key INEC officials in the state to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Asaba, for tasks that would facilitate movement of men and materials to the field for Saturday elections.

    He, however assured people of the state that the expected sensitive materials would arrive in the state latest on Friday.

    “If the items that we listed that we need from Abuja are not here at 2 p.m. on Friday, then we might have a problem,” Omorogbe said.

    The REC apologised to the people, political parties and other stakeholders in the state for the inconveniences caused by the postponement of the elections on Saturday.

    He urged all eligible voters to take solace in the saying that “delay in not denial”.

    “Surely the voters will have their day on the new dates to freely choose who they want to represent them in the next four years,’’ he said.

    Omorogbe disclosed that the commission received a total of 2,246,152 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for distribution to the registered persons in the state.

    According to him, out of the figure, 2,166,703 cards were collected from the 25 local government areas, while 129,449 were yet to be collected.

    He said that PVCs distribution data in the state showed that Ughelli North had a total of 39,427 PVCs, with 23,914 collected, leaving 15,513 uncollected.

    “Oshimili South has a total number of 33,723 registered PVCs, 30,419 have been collected, and 3,304 yet to be collected.

    “In Ika South, a total of 27,552 PVCs were sent, 21,536 were collected, while the remaining 6,016 were not collected.

    “Sapele has 25,365 registered PVCs and 18,962 have been collected, while the remaining 6,403 are yet to be collected.

    “In Warri South, 24,903 PVCs were registered, 15,996 were collected, while 8,907 were not collected,’’ he said.

     

  • Police warn against engaging vigilantes, other groups in election matters

    The Police Command in Delta has warned stakeholders against engaging private security agents, volunteers, guards and vigilantes in securing/escorting election and other materials during the 2019 general elections across the state.

    The Acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Chuks Orisewezie, gave the warning in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

    Orisewezie said, “any such armed private security personnel in whatever form or guise will be appropriately dealt with.”

    The command’s spokesman said that the responsibility of providing security during the 2019 general elections rested squarely on the police, in collaboration with other security agencies.

    He listed the other security agencies to include the Army, Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Immigration Service, Air Force, and Department of State Service (DSS).

    He stated: “Police is dismayed with the way and manner majority of the volunteer organisations are meddling in election/security affairs.

    “A reference point is the three suspects: David Ukiri ‘m’, Alfred Joseph ‘m’ and Uvwiejibobor Akpevwe ‘m’ all of Udu in Udu Local Government Area who were arrested with arms.

    “They were arrested by a detachment of police officers deployed to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Asaba, to secure electoral materials.

    “The suspects claimed to be members of a vigilante group and were detailed by their chairman to escort electoral materials.
    “The responsibility of providing security during the 2019 general election rests on the police in collaboration with other security agencies.

    “The police, therefore, warn all stakeholders who have or intend to employ the services of private security agents, volunteers, guards and vigilantes for the purpose of securing/escorting electoral materials etc. to desist from doing so.”

    It will be recalled that a suspected cult group clashed with the Orhunwhorhun community vigilante group in Udu Local Government of the state on Monday over a perceived electoral matter.

     

  • Okowa visits family of slain Aide, calls for violent-free elections

    As Nigerians prepare for elections, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has called for violent-free elections, saying politicians could engage in issue-based campaigns without killing or maiming the electorates.

    Governor Okowa made the call on Monday when he paid a condolence visit to the family of his political aide, Mr Ngozi Ijei who was allegedly assassinated on the eve of the botched Presidential and National Assembly elections in Ekpan, Uvwie local government area of Delta State.

    According to the governor, “the death of Ngozi Ijei was very unfortunate as he was slain and it was obvious that it was politically motivated.”

    “In the last two years we had worked to have peace in the Ekpan area and he played a crucial role in the peace process, but, unfortunately, those who do not value life decided to strike and it is not the best thing to do for it pays us nothing for us to lose a life to win in an election”.

    He further stated: “We should continue to embrace peace as the election comes up because, going to the extent of using guns to get votes is not the best way for our country; I believe that it is important that all Nigerians should realize that getting votes can be achieved by what one has already done and the improvement that can be seen, not by violence.”

    He urged the family of the deceased to take solace in the fact that nothing happens without the knowledge of God.

    “I know that the loss of a dear one is very painful but, stay strong for the children,” the governor told Mrs Veronica Ijei, wife of the deceased who was seen crying throughout the period of the visit.

    He continued, “depend on God; I beg you, stay strong for the sake of these children and be prayerful; God will take control of every situation; accept our condolences and in everything that you think or do, you must look up to God.”

    Governor Okowa who was in a pensive mood, wrote in the condolence register opened in memory of the deceased, “on condolence visit to the family of late Mr Ngozi Ijei, my SA (Special Assistant) who was slain on Friday, February 15, 2019.”

    “Ngozi was an architect of peace in the new Ekpan of our dream; he had worked largely with the security agencies in the last two years to make Ekpan peaceful; we will miss him dearly for his contributions. I condole with the young family, and it is our prayers that God will fill this gap and give them peace. Adieu Ngozi, may the Lord receive you in his bosom”.

    Governor Okowa was accompanied on the condolence visit by the Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso and a chieftain of the party, Chief Nkem Okwuofu.

     

  • Delta REC appeals to parties to adhere to INEC directive on no campaign

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Delta, Dr Cyril Omorogbe, has appealed to political parties in the state to adhere to INEC directive not to campaign again before the Saturday Presidential/National Assembly elections.

    Omorogbe made the appeal in a statement by the commission’s Head of Department (HOD) Voter Education and Publicity in the state, Mr Bukola Ojeme on Monday in Asaba.

    He however commended the political parties and security agencies under the auspices of the Inter Agency Consultative and Committee on Election Security (ICCES) for their understanding and support.

    The residential electoral commissioner noted that now was the most critical period in the country’s 2019 election calendar.

    He also apologised to the voters in the state for the inconveniences caused to them by the postponement of last Saturday’s elections.

    Omorogbe however urged them to come out en mass to freely make their choices of candidates through the ballot on the new dates for the elections.

    The REC assured all the stakeholders of the commission’s commitment to transparency, neutrality and impartiality in the discharge of its duties.

    On the sensitive election materials for the state, Omorogbe disclosed that INEC had met with political parties and security agencies at the CBN premises, Asaba, and agreed on modalities of keeping them safe.

    He noted that the sensitive materials were still in the premises of CBN, Asaba, before the postponement of the polls was announced in the early hours of Feb. 16.

    He said, “ the commission has since taken steps to safely quarantine the sensitive materials in the CBN, with internal and external security agencies deployed to take full control of providing security and restricting access to the materials.

    “As at the time of this statement, the sensitive election materials remain in the custody of the CBN in Asaba.

    “The commission has in compliance with the timeline of activities for the new dates of polls commenced the reconfiguration of 5,823 Smart Card Readers (SCRs) and 5 per cent of 5,823 as back up to impute the new dates of election.

    “The commission has also commenced the implementation of other ancillary tasks indicated in the timeline of activities, to ensure a seamless deployment of men and materials to the field on the new dates,’’ he said.

     

  • 2019 general elections: NSCDC deploys over 3,000 personnel in Delta

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Delta Command, has deployed over 3,000 personnel for the Saturday Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

    The state Commandant of the corps, Dr Benito Eze, who disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday in Asaba, said that the corps had earlier trained the over 3,000 officers for the election.

    While noting that the training was organised by the headquarters of the corps, Eze said that it was to ensure security before, during and after the general elections.

    He disclosed that the command was in partnership with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.

    The state commandant gave the assurance that armed security personnel would be on ground to respond to distress calls during the polls.

    Eze disclosed that the marine unit of the corps would provide security for the people living in the riverine areas of the state.

    The state commandant added that NSCDC had also deployed speed boats to patrol the coastal areas of the state and keep them safe during the exercise.

     

  • Effurun crisis: Delta police engage stakeholders

    The Nigeria Police, Delta Command, on Thursday said it was engaging relevant stakeholders on how to end the protracted crisis in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Command, DSP Mr Andrew Aniamaka, disclosed this in Warri.

    Aniamaka also said the Command had commenced preliminary investigation on the early Monday crisis that led to the death of five persons in the area, adding that it had taken necessary measures to forestall recurrent of the incident.

    “We are talking with the relevant stakeholders and preliminary investigation has commenced on the recent crisis in which five persons were confirmed dead in Effurun, “ he said.

    “The police is taking all the necessary approach to forestall peace in the area.”

    The five persons were allegedly killed while many injured in a renewed clash between perceived loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Effurun.

    However, Mr Ramson Onoyake, Chairman, Uvwie Local Government Area, debunked the claim that the crisis had link with political parties.

    “The crisis has nothing to do with political parties, it was perpetrated by hoodlums and arrest has been made.

    “We have started arms mop up and anybody found with arms will be prosecuted, ” he said.

    Onoyake urged the electorate to come out and vote without fear of intimidation, saying that security had been beefed up in the area.

    “Surveillance patrol team is on ground and securitymen have been stationed at the black spots in Jakpa, Alaka and Udumurhie areas,” he said.

    The chairman, however, said that there was no curfew in the area as reported by some media organisations.

     

  • 2023: Okowa signs pact for next Delta Governor

    Barely 48 hours to the 2019 elections, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has entered into an agreement with the Urhobos for Delta Central Senatorial District to produce the next Governor in 2023 after his eight years tenure.

    At a meeting of all the traditional rulers of Urhobo land held today on Wednesday at the Palace of the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM Ogbon Ogoni-Oghoro, Governor Okowa and former Governor James Ibori stated that the people of Delta North Senatorial District, otherwise known as Anioma should complete two terms of eight years after which, the Urhobos will produce the next Governor in 2023 in line with the rotation principle of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    Governor Okowa is seeking re-election as Governor on the platform of the PDP.

    “Our next Governor will come from Urhobo land after my tenure in the spirit of equity,” Governor Okowa said, asserting, “by the grace of God, I will support the course of the Urhobo land producing the next Governor after me because, God has made it possible that our leader, Chief James Ibori had eight years in office and our brother, Dr Uduaghan also had eight years in office as our Governor and by divine providence, I am the Governor and because of the roles you are playing as respected traditional rulers, the trend should continue.”

    The Governor listed his achievements within the last four years and thanked the traditional rulers for contributing to the success story of his administration through advice and making of their kingdoms peaceful which has translated to a peaceful state, assuring that more projects would be executed in the next four years.

    “I am glad that I have the cooperation of Your Royal Majesties; through you, I have the cooperation of your subjects and I want to say thank you; you have always believed in the peace of this state, you have always believed in equity which means you want us to succeed as a people; the level of cooperation has been very high and that has built the confidence of our people; for the unity of our state, we need the cooperation of all our Royal Fathers,” the governor stated.

    Chief Ibori had said, “I am accompanying my Governor to pay this courtesy call and thank you visit to the traditional rulers of Urhobo land for allowing us to campaign round Urhobo land; the Urhobos support for Governor Okowa’s re-election should not be taken for granted, let us keep this commitment strongly; we have to support him strongly because, we will need the Anioma support for Urhobos to produce the Governor in the next four years, 2023.”

    “Let us support him (Governor Okowa) so that he can mobilise the Anioma people to support us in the next four years, this is important so that we can have a pact that will be actualized in the next four years,” Chief Ibori stated, observing that Governor Okowa has done very well by spreading dividends of democracy across the state and having genuine respect for the traditional rulers.

    The traditional rulers prayed for the Governor, asking God to grant his request for second term in office. They also, prayed for peaceful elections.

     

  • Delta oil-producing communities appeal for basic amenities

    The people of oil-producing Polobubo/Tsekelewu communities of Warri North Local Government Area of Delta have appealed to the state government to urgently addressed some of their immediate challenges.

    Mr Ebilate Mac-Yoroki, the National President of the communities, made the call on Tuesday during the official takeover of the community’s cottage hospital by the state government.

    Mac-Yoroki in his address of welcome identified some of the challenges to include environmental/ecological degradation and lack of infrastructure.

    He said with the formal takeover, the Delta government had taken over the financing and day-to-day running of the hospital.

    Chevron Nigerian Limited (CNL) built and equipped the cottage hospital for the host communities, after the Egbema-Gbaramatu Community Development Foundation (EGCDF) had pushed for it.

    The communities host CNL, NPDC/Elcrest Joint Venture, operators of Opuama Flow Station (OML 40).

    “Your Excellency will agree to our claim to being one of the main sustainers of the national economy as well as one of the best assets to Delta.

    “We wish to bring to your notice that Polobubo/Tsekelewu communities and the environs are classical examples of the meaning and definition of ecological and environmental degradation, orchestrated by oil exploration and exploitation.

    “The river you traversed to this town used to be averagely 10 metres deep before the advent of oil exploration. Today this same river has been silted to less than a metre in depth during the dry season.

    “The fresh water has been replaced by salt water from the Atlantic Ocean, destroying economic trees and vegetation that provided the people with lucrative livelihood.

    “The idling 1000 kva generating plant supplied by the Delta Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) should be considered as temporal answer to our power problem,” he said.

    Mac-Yoroki appealed to the state government to dredge the waterways and reclaim new Polobubo.

    He also pleaded with government to construct a major road that would traverse Opuama Polobubo and Ogbudugbudu.

    Gov. Okowa, represented by Mr Tam Brisibe, Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, said government would look into their requests.

     

  • 2019: Political violence continues to claim lives in Delta

    As the 2019 elections draw near, political violence between community youths in Effurun, Uvwie local government area of Delta State, over the course of the past two weeks has left five persons dead.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the clash broke out around Jakpa area of the town, following disagreements between some supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The violence had since degenerated to clashes between cultists and community leaders in the area, with renewed fighting on Monday morning, as heads continue to roll.

    While the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the incident, the circumstances that led to the early Monday killing were still sketchy.

    Confirming the development, Aniamaka said the police had already started investigating the development.

    “We have a case of murder here. At about 7am, one Friday Emajeke reported at the Ekpan police station that at about 1:30am he heard four gunshots, but he could not go out to confirm what was happening because of the security situation of the area.

    “At about 6am, he went out and found one of his tenants identified as Emmanuel dead on the floor.

    “After the report, police went to the place and discovered three more corpses in Emmanuel’s room; two females and one male.

    “After evacuating the bodies, another corpse was discovered not too far from where the murders were recorded. In all, we have five corpses; three males and two females,” Aniamaka said.