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Tag: Delta State

  • Delta state election: APC denies burning DSIEC office as Police begins probe

    Delta state election: APC denies burning DSIEC office as Police begins probe

    The Police in Delta says they have begun investigation into circumstances that led to burning of the Delta Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

    The command’s Spokesperson, Mr Andrew Aniamaka, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday night in Warri.

    He also assured that perpetrators would be apprehended soon and brought to justice.

    Aniamaka also said that the incident led to the cancellation of the Saturday statewide council election in the area.

    He said: “Some thugs set ablaze the DSIEC office in Ughelli North.

    “Investigation is already ongoing and I assure you that the perpetrators of the act will be apprehended and brought to book.

    “Election could not hold in the local government because of the action,” he said.

    Contrary to earlier reports, Mr Felix Ekure, the Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ughelli North, alleged on Saturday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was responsible for the burning of the DSIEC office to cover up its perceived atrocities.

    “We were informed that election materials were brought to the DSIEC office in Ughelli North on Friday.

    “And we mobilised our supporters to the venue to ensure that the materials were protected.

    “At the point of distribution, we insisted on seeing the result sheets and other sensitive materials but the DSIEC official claimed that he forgot the original result sheets in Asaba.

    “We insisted that he must bring the result sheets before the distribution of materials.

    “At that point, PDP thugs started shooting and our boys scampered for safety.

    “The PDP thugs then set the DSIEC office ablaze in order to cover up their atrocities,” he alleged.

    Reacting to the development, the PDP Chairman in Ughelli North, Mr Lawrence Agbatutu, told NAN on Sunday that the APC leaders in the area allegedly ordered their supporters to set the building ablaze.

    “Two days to the election, the APC stationed their boys at the DSIEC office. The leaders ordered their loyalists to burn DSIEC building, it was not the PDP supporters.

    “PDP is ever ready for the election, we are not afraid because we did a lot of campaign,” he said.

     

  • Delta state election: Gov. Okowa expresses satisfaction, as APC rejects polls

    Delta state election: Gov. Okowa expresses satisfaction, as APC rejects polls

    Delta state Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the local government council election in the state even as All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressly rejected the polls.

    Governor Okowa who spoke today at Ward 3, Owa-Alero, Ika North-East local government area of the State shortly after casting his vote at Polling Unit 3, asserted, “I am satisfied with the process.”

    “DSIEC (Delta State Independent Electoral Commission) has given assurance that the election will be credible, free and fair and so far, you can see that people have come out to cast their votes,” the Governor said, observing that the electoral process adopted by DSIEC which entails simultaneous accreditation and voting process reduced the crowding of polling boots.

    On the situation report generally across the state, the Governor disclosed that at Ndokwa East local government area, soldiers stopped electoral officers from moving materials, a situation which he said, was addressed.

    The governor noted he received reports that at Ughelli North, suspected members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) were said to have set DSIEC office ablaze.

    The APC in Ughelli South rejected the local government election accusing DSIEC of providing fake election materials.

    “It is unfortunate that some persons were not ready for the elections and they resorted to violence.

    “I personally led the campaign of the PDP round the 25 local government areas of the state, even to areas I did not visit when I was campaigning for the governorship position and after that, the campaign from Ward to Ward, house to house continued while other political parties were not involved in any campaign,” Okowa said, reiterating, “I can assure you that generally, from information available to me, the state is calm and voting is in progress in the state.”

     

  • The scandal train of LGA elections makes a stop in Delta state

    The scandal train of LGA elections makes a stop in Delta state

    By Ogaga Ifowodo

    On Saturday, 6 January 2018, the seemingly unending national shame of Local Government elections, conducted by so-called State INDEPENDENT Electoral Commissions, continued unabated in Delta State.

    It is true that the embarrassment of a party winning all or nearly all seats (when one or two councillorships seats are conceded) in state-conducted elections cuts across the parties: the party in power in a state sees it as the very definition of democracy and a fundamental duty to declare only their candidates winners.

    And so it was that the Delta State government improved on its 2014 performance when the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) declared all of its candidates winners and even swore them in without result sheets and other voting materials which were either destroyed or confiscated by irate voters in several polling units.

    This time, fake election materials, identified as mere photocopies, were distributed while numerous units did not even have the courtesy of fake result sheets.

    There were, of course, the traditional instances of ballot snatching, instigated violence and intimidation, late and/or inadequate ballots (as in Units 2 and 8 in Ozoro, Isoko North LGA), etc.

    In Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South LGA where I should have voted, voters stoutly resisted this mockery of “grassroots democracy,” a notion to which our politicians never tire of paying lip service.

    They refused to vote in virtually all the polling units and insisted that the fake electoral materials be returned and the LGA elections postponed.

    Curiously, in some units, armed youths believed to be working for PDP chased voters away from polling units where their candidate was unpopular and seemed headed for defeat, then proceeded to destroy ballots and other election materials, as was the case at Unit 7, Ward 1, in Oleh.

    So brazen was the sense of outrage that in Ughelli North, voters incensed beyond description set fire to the offices of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC).

    In Owhe-Ologbo, Isoko North LGA, the fake ballots were shredded and strewn like confetti in the streets. In yet another twist in the tale of our never-ending electoral disgrace, agents of the state government and the PDP resorted to cajoling people to vote!

    In short, throughout the state, the charade went on with variations only in particular details of the shame.

    Photo and video evidence of the current episode of the unmitigated mockery of democracy is already circulating across social media platforms.

    It is also true, however, that in a handful of units, too few to change the general character of the charade, genuine materials were delivered and voting took place (as in Otor-Owhe Ward, Isoko North LGA where the APC candidate councilorshp candidate was declared the winner).

    This appears, however, to be a clever ruse to confer legitimacy on an exercise irredeemably tainted by irregularities and violence.

    We wait to see if pre-prepared results will not announce the governing party’s candidate the winner!

    But the message is loud and clear: the people will no longer accept the states’ assault on their constitutional right to choose their leaders.

    The Delta State LGA elections of Saturday, 6 January 2018, did not hold in the overwhelming majority of polling units.

    Voting in the few units where anything of that nature purportedly took place was so marred by irregularities and violence as not to have taken place at all.

    In the few and isolated units where genuine materials were available and voting did, against all odds, take place, that small “victory” is bound to be turned to ashes in the mouths of the voters by the assured announcement of pre-prepared results.

    I call on His Excellency Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to allow the good people of Delta State to exercise freely their right to vote for leaders of their choice.

    He should, and must, be willing to allow the LGA election be a referendum on his much-trumpeted achievements in the past two years. That is one of the primary roles of elections in a democracy.

    The 2018 Delta State LGA elections must be cancelled and fixed for another day, within three months. Before a new date is announced, however, DSIEC must be reconstituted to guarantee its independence, principally by including representatives of all of the registered political parties.

    It is not a defense to answer that the practice of wholesale rigging of LGA elections cuts across all the parties.

    There must be a point where we say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

    Let this be that point and let Delta State be the Big Heart” (as its motto proudly proclaims) of democracy by being the light-bearer to the rest of the country.

    This is how democracy, and so the people, can be the winner. I call on Dr Okowa, as I called on his predecessor Dr Uduaghan in 2014, to be a hero of democracy by respecting the right of the people to self-determination, especially at the much-abused “grassroots level” of our government.

     

    [NB: Ifowodo is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a failed aspirant for the House of Representatives during the 2015 General Elections]

     

  • Delta state election: Travelers lament Niger Bridge shut down

    Delta state election: Travelers lament Niger Bridge shut down

    The Niger Bridge linking Delta state to its Anambra neighbouring state was this morning closed following the local council elections taking place in Delta.

    TheNewsGuru reports the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had urged motorists to ply designated routes following restriction on vehicular movement during Saturday’s council polls in the state.

    However, the closing of the Niger bridge has continued to pose a challenge to travelers who are crossing the state using the Niger bridge route to reach their destination in the South East and other faraway places.

    Onitsha Asaba traffic

    Some have been reported to be stranded at the bridge since 8am.

    “The audacity of the State: Niger Bridge closed this morning against travelers for a local Govt election in Delta State. Onitsha is shutdown. This is reckless impunity, inflicting pain to innocent travelers,” one angry traveler took to Twitter to say.

    TheNewsGuru reports the chaotic traffic situation is witnessed at the Onitsha head bridge inward and outward.

    The heavy traffic from the Onitsha head bridge has reached up to Upper Iweka in Anambra and up to Summit junction in Asaba.

    Reports reaching TheNewsGuru is that the bridge would be opened for passage by 4pm.

    However, voters have generally complied with government restriction order in parts of the state.

     

  • Delta state election: Police tear-gas voters; economic activities grind to a halt

    Delta state election: Police tear-gas voters; economic activities grind to a halt

    The Delta state local government election set out in a peaceful manner in some areas, while at other areas, police have used tear gas on voters to control disorderliness.

    The process was peaceful in Oshimili North local government area as at 11: 21 materials were being distributed at Akwukwu-Igbo and Okpanam, Oshimili North.

    However, the situation was different at Oshimili South as mobile policemen shot tear gas into the air, causing apprehension at Asagba primary school.

    Meanwhile, economic and social activities have been grounded in Asaba and its environs following the ongoing local government polls in the 25 councils Edo.

    A correspondent who monitored the poll on Saturday in Asaba, Oshimili North, Aniocha South and environs, reported that shops, markets, filling stations were under lock and key.

    There was total vehicular movement restriction in the areas following the state police command order on restriction of movements within the state between 6:00 a.m and 3:00 p.m.on election day.

    It also reports that most of the polling units visited in the areas had quite a large number of voters who were being accredited for voting.

    Voting has commenced in some other areas such as ward 6 Omuboy Primary and Secondary school Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.

    TheNewsGuru also reports that voting had also commenced in Ward 11 Aninsha Primary school in Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state.

    Meanwhile, the DESIEC office in Ughelli North has, however, been reportedly set ablaze by suspected APC hoodlums.

     

  • Delta state election: Suspected APC thugs burn down DSIEC office

    Delta state election: Suspected APC thugs burn down DSIEC office

    The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) office in Ughelli was today burnt down by suspected thugs of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    TheNewsGuru learned that the thugs are persons suspected to be loyalists of the senator representing Delta central senatorial district in the National Assembly, Mr. Ovie Omo-Agege.

    The APC boys alleged that original results sheets were not provided, while accusing the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) of hijacking electoral materials and a broad attempt to rig the local government election in the area.

    The senator’s loyalists went on a rampage and set the commission’s office ablaze.

    It was alleged that 90% of ad-hoc staff and returning officers in Ughelli North, Aniocha North and other councils in the state recruited by the commission were PDP members.

    At the Onicha-Olona ward 5, it was alleged that the Presiding Officers were also PDP members while in the ward of the former House of Representatives member, Ndudi Elumelu, the list of ad-hoc staff recruited by DSIEC could not be seen.

    At Oleh, Isoko South and Ozoro, Isoko North local government areas, it was reported that election materials provided were not original while result sheets were missing, and as a result, the leadership of the (APC) in Isoko South council staged a protest to the police station where some of the sensitive materials were taken to.

     

  • Delta state election: FRSC advises motorists on designated routes

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged motorists to ply designated routes following restriction on vehicular movement during Saturday’s council polls in Delta.

    The information was provided in a statement by the spokesperson of the Corps, Mr Bisi Kazeem, in Abuja.

    According to Kazeem, elections is being held in 25 Local Government Areas of Delta State.

    “There will be restrictions on vehicular movement from 6:00hrs to 15:00hrs.

    “The roads will be closed at the boundaries between Edo and Delta States as well as between Delta and Anambra States respectively from 6:00hrs till 15:00hrs.

    “Motorists from Edo axis are advised to go through Warri- East West roads to Port Harcourt to Anambra.

    “Similarly, motorists from Anambra are advised to go through Enugu to Ajaokuta to Okene to Akure to Ibadan,” he said.

     

  • Delta state election: Electoral commission returns 57 PDP councillors unopposed

    The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) has returned unopposed 57 councilors of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of tomorrow’s local government elections in the state.

    Chairman of DSIEC, Chief Mike Ogbodu, in a press statement, said the 57 PDP councilors are being returned unopposed as no other candidates are in contention with them.

    Ogbodu listed ward 4 in Isoko South; wards 5, 9, 10, 16, 18 in Uvwie; wards 1, 3, 6, 11, 18 in Warri North and wards 2, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 in Warri South as among those whose councilors are returned unopposed.

    Others are:

    The following list contains the names of the councilors returned unopposed by the DSIEC ahead of the January 6, 2018 election in the state.

    A DSIEC release declaring candidates returned unopposed

     

  • 2,324 unemployed youths now employers of labour in Delta state – Gov. Okowa

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has disclosed that the state government’s skills and vocational programmes of job creation have made 2,324 previously unemployed youths in the state employers of labour.

    He made the disclosure Wednesday in Asaba in his address at an exhibition held to showcase the products and services of youths and women in the state who are beneficiaries of the programme.

    Okowa said the wealth creation programme of his administration, the Skill Training and Entrepreneurship Programme, (STEP) and Youth Agriculture Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) are designed to secure a better future for Deltans.

    “The job and wealth creation programme and activities of our government are designed to tackle the problem of unemployment in the state and measure the growth of micro, small and medium scale enterprises.

    “Globally, it is established that certain economic sectors and activities hold the highest potentials for job and wealth creation for our economy.

    “These are Agriculture, Agric businesses, Agro-based industries, cottage enterprises, vocational skills-based micro enterprises and small and medium scale enterprises.

    “Others are public works such as environment sanitation, housing and road construction,” he said.

    The governor noted that the state government spendings on these job creation sectors generates very high rate of returns for the economy.

    “Infact, interventions and programmes in these sectors and activities, are generally cost effective and go a long to reduce youth unemployment and poverty.

    “They also help in ensuring social inclusion, positive economic growth and sustainable development.”

    Okowa said his administration’s flagship Skill Training and Entrepreneurship Programme, (STEP) and Youth Agriculture Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP), Delta have achieved what many felt was unthinkable.

    According to him, after two cycles of the programme, a total of 2,324 previously unemployed youths of the state are now small business owners and employers of labour.

    The governor further stated that these young men and women who are beneficiaries of the programme, are trained and established in various enterprises, which include, ICT and Hairdressing.

    He listed other areas of their skill training to include, Decorations and Event Management, Make-Over, Catering and Confectionary Cosmetology, Craft and Home Care products.

    Others also include, Electrical Installations and Repairs, Fashion Design and Tailoring, Shoe Making, Welding and Fabrication etc.

    On the agricultural enterprises of the programme, Okowa listed Aqua Culture, Poultry, Crop Production, Agro Processing and Piggery as areas where the beneficiaries received training.

    Okowa said: “At least 450 of these small business owners have come here today to show Nigeria and the world what they have been able to do with their hands since they were set up by the state government.

    “For many of them, the journey began 15 months ago when they completed their training programme and were handed over their Starter Packs.

    “Some of them commenced their businesses for as short as six to nine months ago. Indeed, theirs is a remarkable story of industry, diligence and determination to succeed.”

    The governor said the state government would continue to provide support and guidance to the beneficiaries to enable them realise their goals and provide opportunity for many others.

    “Success for these beneficiaries and for us as a government did not come easy. What we are witnessing today is a reward of two years of rigorous planning.

    “Two years of discipline, focus, pace-setting selection process, stringent guidelines, prudent management and commitment to set goals,” Okowa said.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the exhibition was attended by former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and Governor of Sokoto state, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and Ex-Governor of Delta, Chief James Ibori

    In a goodwill message, Governor Aminu Tambuwal lauded Okowa for his commitment to creating job and wealth for the people of the state through the STEP and YAGEP programmes of the his administration.

    He described the exhibition and success stories of the beneficiaries as a laudable achievement of the Okowa administration, and enjoined him to sustain the programme for the betterment of the people of the state.

    “I must commend Governor Okowa for his commitment towards creating wealth for the people of Delta through these laudable skills training and agricultural programmes.

    “I am very impressed with the success story of this programme, and maybe I will see how I can take lessons from here to my state,” Tambuwal said.

    In his remark, Ex-Delta governor, Chief James Ibori commended Governor Okowa for his foresight and commitment to helping the youths of the state through the skills training and agricultural programme.

    He said Governor Okowa has demonstrated his commitment and dedication to making the state a better place for all Deltans, and enjoined him to sustain the vision for a prosperous Delta.

    “The people of Delta elected you as their governor because of their belief in you to deliver good governance and today, we have come to see that you are delivering very well.

    “I want to commend you for remembering our unemployed youths with what we are witnessing here today because at the end of the day, when you and I are gone, they will be the ones to take over,” Ibori said.

    “Okowa is doing very well. May God continue to guide you and sharpen your vision as you have dedicated yourself to the service of our people,” Ibori said.

    Also in a remark, a representative of the World Bank, Dr. Tunde Adekola said the Delta STEP and YAGEP programme is a World Bank assisted programme aimed at assisting the state achieve its economic development programmes.

    “What we are witnessing today is a World Bank assisted programme. It is aimed at assisting the government of Delta achieve its economic developmental goals through wealth creation for its people.

    “The programme is a demonstration of the partnership collaborations between the World Bank and the Delta state government and I must say we are very proud of the successes so far recorded,” Adekola said.

    The exhibition featured various products and services by the beneficiaries of the STEP and YAGEP. Cultural dancers from across the state entertained the guests.

     

  • Delta state local government employees appeal Gov. Okowa for exclusive salaries funds

    Delta state local government employees appeal Gov. Okowa for exclusive salaries funds

    Local government employees in Delta state have raised a special appeal to the state Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for funds that would be devoted exclusively to the payment of salaries in the state.

    The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the State made the appeal after the Governor commenced the offset of payment of salary arrears, in lieu of which he approved the release of over N800 million.

    The State government had in a statement signed by its Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, said the State is not owing its workers salaries, stressing that it has paid all workers to date and that it has also consistently given financial support to the Local Government Councils to enable the payment of salaries of workers.

    However, at a campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the forthcoming local government elections at Oleh, Isoko South and Ozoro, Isoko North local government areas of the state, Gov. Okowa made a promise that with the State’s rising revenue profile, his administration will assist local government councils to lessen salary burden.

    TheNewsGuru reports, not too long, therefore, Gov. Okowa approved the release of over N800 million to offset payment of local government workers salary arrears in the State.

    In a communiqué issued by the State Executive Council (SEC) of NULGE and signed by its Secretary, Comrade Peter Ene, the union applauded Governor Okowa for stepping in to ensure local government workers salaries are paid.

    The communiqué, which was issued after the meeting of the SEC of the union, expressed appreciation to the governor for the approval and release of more than N800 million to facilitate the gradual payment of outstanding salaries accrued from 2015 to 2017.

    The union, while calling on the governor not to relent in his determination to clear all outstanding salary arrears as well as satisfy the desires of council workers in the state, despite dwindling revenue accruing to the state, urged him to see the project as a divine call and assignment that should be driven to a logical conclusion.

    “In this direction, it is our humble plea that His Excellency, just as he has done, should continue to avail us some funds that would be devoted exclusively to the payment of salary areas.

    “We are, however, not oblivious of the enormous sacrifices Your Excellency would be making in this regard, but we do hope that the smiles on the faces of local government workers would suffice to gladden the heart of His Excellency,” the communiqué, made available to TheNewsGuru, read.