ATIKU ABUBAKAR PAYS $30,000 TO FOREIGN LAW FIRM TO LOBBY US TO RECOGNISE HIM AS 'AUTHENTIC' WINNER OF NIGERIA'S ELECTION

Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria's former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is currently lobbying the United States of America for support in his quest to challenge the outcome of the February 23 presidential election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared President Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the election, announcing he polled 15,191,847 votes while his closest challenger, Atiku Abubakar, secured 11,262,978 votes.

However, according to a report by the Centre for Responsive Politics (CRP), a research group dedicated to tracking money in US politics and its effects on elections and public policy, published on Monday, Atiku has enlisted the assistance of two high-powered lawyers in Washington DC, to "help in his legal challenge after his election loss".

Atiku had filed a suit before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal challenging the outcome of the election and insisting that he won the election.

According to the report, "Abubakar has ties to those in Trump’s orbit, having hired political consultants like Riva Levinson, who worked with Paul Manafort, and Brian Ballard, a major Trump fundraiser."

Reference was also made to Atiku's much-publicised visit to the US, during which he stayed at the Trump International Hotel in Washington DC. His visit to the US made major news since there were allegations that he could not step on the shores of America as a result of corruption-related issues.

A Senate subcommittee report on foreign corruption had referred to a transfer of millions of dollars into the U.S. through shell companies by Atiku, although he didn't face prosecution. In 2009, the FBI alleged that he demanded bribes from former Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.), who was convicted of corruption charges. Jefferson stored $90,000 in cash for Abubakar in his freezer at some point.

Filings accessed on the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) by CRP's Foreign Lobby Watch on March 24, showed that former Justice Department official Bruce Fein and his firm, Fein & DelValle PLLC, registered as foreign agents on the PDP presidential candidate's behalf.

"Fein, the associate deputy attorney general in Ronald Reagan’s administration and general counsel to the FCC, played a significant role in the repeal of the FCC’s 'Fairness Doctrine'. He also later worked with then-Rep. Bob Barr (R-Ga.) in drafting articles of impeachment against Bill Clinton. Joining Fein in the effort is his partner at the firm, W. Bruce DelValle, who according to an online biography has a varied background tackling civil rights and constitutional law issues, litigating intellectual property and liability disputes, along with representing a number of sports and entertainment personalities," the report noted.

According to CRP, the agreement notes that Lloyd Ukwu, “a Nigerian barrister and trusted confidant [of Abubakar],” is assisting “in the operations of the U.S. Situation Room.” Ukwu, referred to as a critic of Buhari and founder of a group called We the People of Nigeria which claims to be an advocate for “free and fair elections", recently led a delegation to meet with a variety of government officials in the State Department, Congress and “delivered a letter to the [acting] United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Jonathan Cohen, in New York to ensure the success of the Nigerian elections".

According to the filing, Fein will be paid $30,000 over a 90-day contract to provide “legal, consultancy and public advocacy services to encourage Congress and the Executive” to wait on recognizing a winner of the Nigerian election until after the legal challenge is “impartially and independently resolved".

Another filing states how the influence campaign will be conducted, noting that lobbyists will meet with members of Congress and their staff to persuade them to pass resolutions in the House and Senate “to forebear from a final declaration and recognition of a winner” until after Abubakar’s appeals are decided fairly and independently. Additionally, the firm will “draft articles and op-ed pieces” about the issues surrounding the election and appear on television and other media programmes.  

In the contract, Fein’s firm is explicit in promising to “obtain official recognition that you are the authentic President of Nigeria based on an accurate counting of legal ballots". The goal of the effort is straightforwardly described as “to convince the United States that your presidency would open a fresh and new chapter in Nigerian politics".

The filing also asserts that the lobbying effort will demonstrate that an Abubakar presidency is “the will of the people", warning that if Abubakar is denied a victory, problems like genocide, poverty, corruption and strife will “undoubtedly continue".

The US has long had close relations with Nigeria and is the country’s largest foreign investor. American troops work alongside the Nigerian military in an international effort against the Boko Haram terrorist organisation. Additionally, the incumbent Buhari visited the White House and met with President Trump in 2018.

Fein did not respond to a request by CRP for comment.

BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK

THUGS NOT ARMY DISRUPTED RIVERS GUBER ELECTION - IHRC REPORT

International Human Rights Commission, IHRC, Committee on Civil/Military Affairs has said political thugs disrupted the March 9 Gubernatorial and House of Assembly Elections in Rivers State and not the Nigeria Army as alleged by the State governor and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The IHRC in a preliminary report of its fact finding committee it instituted to ascertain the veracity of the allegations and suggest ways of avoiding similar reoccurrences in the future noted that the Army in collaboration with other security agencies acted in defence of the electoral process.

INEC had alleged that collation centres in Rivers State were invaded by some soldiers and armed gangs resulting in the intimidation and unlawful arrest of election officials thereby disrupting the collation centres.

However, the preliminary report by the Committee on Civil/Military Affairs of the International Human Rights Commission signed by Dr. Edward Adamgbe and submitted to President Buhari, Senate President, the National Security Advisor, Chief of Defence Staff, the Common Wealth Secretariat London, European Union and the Embassies of the USA, British and France obtained by this Newspaper explained that the Army was rather the victim in the electoral process.

“Those who actually disrupted the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State were political thugs and the Army in collaboration with conventional security agencies, where necessary, only acted in defence of the electoral process. The number of military casualties alone points to the fact that the Army was rather the unfortunate victims of Rivers State political violence with INEC collaboration,” the report said.

The Rights group also picked holes with the manner the INEC handled the situation pointing particularly to the hastened press statement of March 15 by INEC.

“For INEC to come up with claims that results were collated in 17 out of 23 Local Government Areas when only 7 were actually collated shows that the Commission was not meticulous or neutral, it is also evident that the suspension of the collation was not properly thought out and implemented with national interest,” it added.

The report further submits that a lot of awareness needs to be made for Nigerians to appreciate the role of the Army to wade off the negative impression the people have of the security agencies especially as it concerns elections in the country.

It said findings show that in the past and up till 2015, political thugs acting on the prompting of the party in authority would disrupt the process while security operatives looked the other way.

The preliminary report will be presented to members of the general public in Abuja on April 12 while the detailed report will be available in May.

THE NIGERIAN NAVY RECENT OPPORTUNITY

The Nigerian Navy wishes to inform the general public that the Aptitude Test for the NN 2019 Recruitment Exercise will hold on 13th April, 2019 in the 30 Centres across the Nation.

Nigerian Navy 2019 Recruitment Aptitude Test

Description

Applicants are advised to visit http://joinnigeriannavy.com for the names of shortlisted candidates.

Candidates are to report by 8.00 AM at their chosen centres selected during the online registration as indicated against their names.

Candidates will not be allowed to write the Aptitude Test in any centre other than their chosen centre.

Requirements
Candidates are to come along with the following:

HB Pencil and Eraser.

Print out of the Application Form showing particulars of candidate.

Click Here to Download List of Successful Candidates (Pdf)

Click Here for more Information

AIRTEL NIGERIA (AIRTEL NETWORKS LIMITED) AVAILABLE JOB VACANCY

Airtel Nigeria (Airtel Networks Limited), a leading mobile telecommunication services provider in Nigeria and a member of Airtel Africa Group, is committed to providing innovative, exciting, affordable and quality mobile services to Nigerians, giving them the freedom to communicate, rise above their daily challenges and drive economic and social development.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

JOB TITLE: Talent Acquisition Lead

Location: Lagos

JOB DESCRIPTION

The position will have overall responsibility for Airtel Nigeria manpower planning process of attraction and retention of best-fit talents in line with Airtel’s Human Resources and Talent Management Strategy in order to equip the organization with high caliber talents that will drive and achieve current and future Airtel Nigeria objectives.

THE JOB OBJECTIVES WILL ALSO INCLUDE:

Improved Employer Brand perception

Effective relationship management with educational and professional institutions, recruitment and placement agencies

World Class On-Boarding Programme for new appointees

Facilitate Airtel Nigeria Induction programme

Talent Competency Assessment

Coordinate the deployment of competency based assessment tools (e.g. Assessment Centre, Occupational Personality Questionnaire) for internal and external recruitment

Effective Implementation of talent sourcing strategies

Assist in the development of a recruitment strategy. This may include utilizing the best-fit communication and recruitment channels for various cadres of roles, Talent Planning etc.

Manage the recruitment process and life-cycle, including initial assessments, interviews

Provide recruitment counsel and guidance to hiring managers and HR professionals with hiring and employment data. 

May develop specialized or competitive intelligence and research in regards to talent development or retention.

Develop and manage relationships with third party recruitment agencies

Recruitment OPEX optimization

RELEVANT SKILL AND EXPERIENCE

Analytical and Presentation skills

Must have excellent organizational and communication skills.

Highly organized and good at implementation

Time management skills with commitment to project timelines

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field required

A professional qualification of CIPMN, CIPD, SHRM

Knowledge of full lifecycle recruiting process

Demonstrated knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, and general human resources policies and procedures

Must have at least 5-10 years of comprehensive recruiting experience with demonstrated experience in high volume recruiting

Detailed working Telecommunications Knowledge

How To Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:

Click here to apply

Application Deadline 9th April, 2019.

Note: Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to notify unsuccessful applicants. If you have not been notified of the outcome of your application within two weeks of the closing date, please assume you have not been successful on this occasion

APPLY NOW

NJC RECOMMENDS JUSTICE ONNOGHEN FOR COMPULSORY RETIREMENT

The National Judicial Commission (NJC) has recommended Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), for compulsory retirement, TheCablereports.

After deliberating on the petition filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, members of the NJC unanimously agreed that Onnoghen has lost the moral authority to continue as CJN with the litany of allegations bordering on misconduct.

The NJC — which handles disciplinary issues of judicial officers — sat under the interim leadership of Umaru Abdullahi, former president of the court of appeal, who had to act because Onnoghen was already under suspension.

The council also concluded that Tanko Muhammad did not commit any offence by making himself available to be sworn in as acting CJN without the recommendation of the NJC.

These recommendations have been passed to President Muhammadu Buhari for approval, Soji Oye, the council’s director of information, informed the media on Wednesday, although he did not make the details public.

NAFDAC RAISES ALERT ON FAKE MENINGITIS VACCINES

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the Nigerians, especially health care providers, on the circulation of fake meningitis vaccines circulating in the Niger Republic.

According to a press statement by Prof Moji Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director General, health authorities in that country issued an alert on the fake vaccines after it was discovered during a routine inspection of pharmacies in Niamey in March.

“We are raising an alert on the circulation of MencevaxTM ACWY and MencevaxTM ACW vaccines circulating in the Niger Republic.

“The Health Authorities of the Republic of Niger issued an alert on the fake vaccines discovered during routine inspections of the pharmacies in Niamey, Niger Republic, on 14th March 2019.

“The Lot number of the fake MencevaxTM ACW vaccine is AMEN A020 AA, while the Lot number of the fake MencevaxTM ACWY is AMEH A020 AA,” she said.

Adeyeye said that the fake vaccine had a manufacturing date of December 2016, and an expiring date of November 2021.

She said that the genuine vaccines used to control an outbreak of meningococcal infection were registered by NAFDAC in favour of Glaxo SmithKline Beecham (GSK), adding that Pfizer acquired the vaccines from GSK in 2015.

She warned importers and retailers of pharmaceutical products not to import or sell the fake vaccine.

“The fake MencevaxTM ACWY vaccine has a manufacturing date of December 2016 and an expiring date of November 2021.

"Genuine MencevaxTM ACW and MencevaxTM ACWY vaccines are used to control an outbreak of meningococcal infection.

“The genuine vaccines were registered by NAFDAC in favour of Glaxo SmithKline Beecham (GSK). Pfizer acquired the vaccines from GSK in 2015.

“NAFDAC implores all importers, wholesalers, and retailers not to illegally import, distribute and sell the fake Mencevax vaccines,” she said.

The NAFDAC boss said that Pfizer discontinued the sale of such vaccine in Nigeria in 2018, adding that NAFDAC had increased surveillance in all ports of entry to prevent the fake vaccine from entry into Nigeria.

"Pfizer Specialties Limited, 21 Lugard Avenue, Ikoyi Lagos discontinued commercialisation of Mencevax Vaccines in Nigeria in June 2018.

“As a result of the discontinuation of commercialisation of the vaccines, Pfizer specialities Limited no longer import the vaccines into Nigeria.

“Surveillance has been strengthened by NAFDAC at all ports of entry to prevent importation of the fake vaccines from the Niger Republic, and to prevent the distribution and sale of the fake vaccine,” she said.

Adeyeye, therefore, advised healthcare providers and other members of the public to be vigilant and contact the nearest NAFDAC office with any information on the fake vaccines.

She urged anybody in possession of the fake vaccines to submit such to the nearest NAFDAC office.

She also asked consumers to report adverse events related to the use of vaccines to the nearest NAFDAC office; via NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLL-FREE for all Network ) or via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.

MAN, 39, REMANDED FOR FONDLING WITH TEENAGE GIRL’S BREAST

An Ogba Chief Magistrates Court on Tuesday ordered for the remand of a 39-year-old man, Fatai Oladapo, for allegedly fiddling with the breast of a teenage girl.

The accused who is in court on a two count charge of assault and rape allegedly committed the offence on March 20, 2019, at Alaba Street in Egbeda area of Lagos where they reside.

The police said the accused allegedly lured the girl into his apartment, and suspiciously started fiddling with her breast in other to arouse her feelings into making love to her.

The police said the accused did not stop at that as he allegedly went ahead into having canal knowledge of the girl whom he had allegedly rendered powerless.

The prosecutor, Inspector Christopher John, said that the young girl broke down in tears when she realized that she had been defiled by the accused.

The Prosecutor said that the girl reported the matter to her parents who in turned dragged the matter to the police.

He said the case was later transferred to the Gender Section of the Police Command for further investigation.

“However, my Lord, during interrogation, Oladapo denied raping the teenage girl as she had claimed but that he had sex with her with her consent and not the other way round” he said.

The Prosecutor said that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, ordered that the case be charged to court upon the insistence of the girl that she was raped.

Inspector Christopher John, told the court that the girl was still a minor and the matter would require the legal advise from the Department of Public Prosecutions  ( DPP).

Thus, the Presiding Magistrate, Mr. Peter Nwaka, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody without an option of bail.

APC SENATORS-ELECT MOVE AGAINST PARTY’S CHOICE OF SENATE PRESIDENT

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the choice of the leadership of the 9th National Assembly deepened at the weekend as some of the lawmakers threatened to dare the party in the leadership tussle.

Some senators-elect of the ruling APC have also frowned at what they described as the recent utterances of the National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, over the composition of the leadership of the National Assembly, saying such outburst should not have come from a national leader of the party.

Some of the party’s senators-elect met in Abuja last night to discuss the decision of the party to determine the federal legislature’s leadership.

Tinubu had at the weekend in Lagos asked elected party members, not comfortable with the choice of Senator Ahmad Lawan and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as Senate President and House Speaker respectively, to leave the party or be ready to abide by party decision on the matter.

Reacting to Tinubu’s statement, a cross section of the senators-elect who spoke with correspondents on condition of anonymity said such a remark was unbecoming of a national leader of a ruling party like APC.

They also reminded Tinubu that the party belongs to all stakeholders and not an individual saying: “Asiwaju should be reminded that many political parties agreed to collapse their structures to form the nucleus of APC some five years ago; so, the party does not belong to him.”

The legislators-elect said rather than threatening the elected lawmakers, the party leadership ought to have engaged them on how to evolve a vibrant leadership for the ninth National Assembly.

A senator-elect from the North-central said: “As we speak, the party leaders have not deemed it fit to call all APC senators-elect to a meeting only for us to be told publicly by Oshiomhole that Senator Lawan is the party’s choice as next Senate President.”

According to him, “We will do everything possible to resist imposition of any leadership on the next federal parliament.”

Another senator-elect from North-central zone affirmed that the imposition of Lawan on others will not fly. “We are ready to take on the party leadership on the matter and ensure that all stakeholders are carried along,” he said.

He advised the party not to make the mistake it made in the 8th Senate which produced Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President as against Senator Lawan, then the choice of the party.

The ranking senator said senators-elect of like minds across political divides will meet in Abuja this week in the course of the orientation programme for all elected federal lawmakers.

“Our colleagues have started arriving in Abuja for the orientation programme being put together by the management of National Assembly for all the 479 members-elect of the federal parliament and we’ll use the opportunity to reach out to them and take a firm decision on the kind of leadership we desire in both the Senate and the House of Representatives,” he said.

He added that senators-elect, who are against the imposition of Senator Lawan, had met at the weekend with those who are routing for former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, as next Senate President with a view to harmonising their position and come up with a candidate to face Lawan on the day 9th Senate will be inaugurated in June.”

This, he further said, are some of the issues that would be discussed with their colleagues from across the country, including legislators-elect from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties who have representation in the 9th Assembly.

SEE THE MAN BEHIND ACTRESS REGINA DANIELS’ EXOTIC CARS, HOUSE"

Lately, teen actress, Regina Daniels has been agog on the internet brandishing her newly acquired exotic cars, a new house for her mother and an expensive Rolex wrist watch valued at a whopping N3 million.

While little miss Daniel’s sudden wealth and growing affluence sparked off serious controversy on social media with many already raising eye-brows, e-nigeriang.com can now authoritatively reveal the man behind her current status.

His name is Prince Ned Nwoko, a former

House of Reps member from Idumuje-Ugboko in Anioma North, Delta State.

Prince Ned Nwoko, a lawyer, businessman and politician, owns one of the biggest resorts in Africa, Camp Ned; which sits on 43,000 hectares of prime and lush land at his hometown of Idumuje-Ugboko which also serves as a love haven for him and his lover, Regina Daniels.

Married to four wives and has children, Ned Nwoko has been the one splashing cash and spoiling Regina Daniels silly with expensive gifts. He bought her the expensive cars; the house in GRA Asaba which the actress brandished on social media a couple of days ago,as well as the Rolex wristwatch.

An insider revealed to e-NIGERIA! Exclusively that Mr. Nwoko sometimes flies the actress to Abuja on his private jet to one of his cozy homes where he also enjoys quiet times with her.

Hate or like her, Regina Daniels gives no damn. She wrote on her Instagram a few days ago, ‘I love making those that hate me already hate me more.’

Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports that Miss Daniel’s mom, Rita Daniels is also aware of her daughter’s relationship with Mr. Nwoko, gives her support and has ever since been getting mouthwatering gifts from the billionaire politician.

e-NIGERIA! reporter also learned that recently, Ned Nwoko married one miss Nwakaego Ukachukwu, his special adviser on legal matters and also gifted her a N20 million BMW car as well as a posh mansion in a high-brow area in Abuja.

Prince Chinedu Munir Nwoko is a Nigerian lawyer, politician and businessman. He was a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003.

Nwoko is a Muslim. He represented Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency and sponsored over 22 successful bills as a member of House of Representatives.

Source:

https://www.e-nigeriang.com/ned-nwoko-the-man-behind-regina-daniels-cars-house/amp/

INEC RULES OUT FRESH GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION IN RIVERS STATE

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out the conduct of fresh governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State.

This is as the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara, walked out of the stakeholders’ meeting organised by INEC to continue the suspended March 9 elections in the state.

The meeting, which held at an event centre, located along Eastern Bye-Pass, Port Harcourt, was boycotted by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Labour Party (LP).

Speaking at the meeting, INEC National Commissioner in-charge of Bayelsa, Rivers and Edo States, May Agbamuche-Mbu, emphasised that a fresh election would not be conducted in the state.

Agbamuche-Mbu, who stated that the commission would resume collation in Rivers State on April 2, 2019, said the objective of the meeting is to brief stakeholders on the activities and schedule of the collation by the electoral body.

In his remarks at the meeting, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who dismissed insinuations that the state is prone to violence, advocated the non involvement of the military during elections to guarantee free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in the country.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out the conduct of fresh governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State.

This is as the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara, walked out of the stakeholders’ meeting organised by INEC to continue the suspended March 9 elections in the state.

The meeting, which held at an event centre, located along Eastern Bye-Pass, Port Harcourt, was boycotted by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Labour Party (LP).

Speaking at the meeting, INEC National Commissioner in-charge of Bayelsa, Rivers and Edo States, May Agbamuche-Mbu, emphasised that a fresh election would not be conducted in the state.

Agbamuche-Mbu, who stated that the commission would resume collation in Rivers State on April 2, 2019, said the objective of the meeting is to brief stakeholders on the activities and schedule of the collation by the electoral body.

In his remarks at the meeting, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who dismissed insinuations that the state is prone to violence, advocated the non involvement of the military during elections to guarantee free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in the country.

Wike urged the commission to publish the list of security personnel that would be stationed at the collation centre to avoid disruption of the process.

Also in his remarks, the state commissioner of police, Usman Balel, who assured that the police is committed to providing adequate security for the people, called on stakeholders to embrace peace and accept the outcome of the process .

Earlier in his welcome remarks, INEC Administrative Secretary in the state, Etim Umoh, said the commission is in possession of collated results of the March 9 election from 17 local government areas in the state.

Umoh listed the local government areas to include; Ahoada-East, Akuku-Toru, Bonny, Obio-Akpor, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Ogu/Bolo, Ikwerre, Emohua, Okrika, Oyigbo, Eleme, Andoni, Omuma, Tai, Etche and Port Harcourt City.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out the conduct of fresh governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State.

This is as the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara, walked out of the stakeholders’ meeting organised by INEC to continue the suspended March 9 elections in the state.

The meeting, which held at an event centre, located along Eastern Bye-Pass, Port Harcourt, was boycotted by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Labour Party (LP).

Speaking at the meeting, INEC National Commissioner in-charge of Bayelsa, Rivers and Edo States, May Agbamuche-Mbu, emphasised that a fresh election would not be conducted in the state.

Agbamuche-Mbu, who stated that the commission would resume collation in Rivers State on April 2, 2019, said the objective of the meeting is to brief stakeholders on the activities and schedule of the collation by the electoral body.

In his remarks at the meeting, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who dismissed insinuations that the state is prone to violence, advocated the non involvement of the military during elections to guarantee free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in the country.

Wike urged the commission to publish the list of security personnel that would be stationed at the collation centre to avoid disruption of the process.

Also in his remarks, the state commissioner of police, Usman Balel, who assured that the police is committed to providing adequate security for the people, called on stakeholders to embrace peace and accept the outcome of the process .

Earlier in his welcome remarks, INEC Administrative Secretary in the state, Etim Umoh, said the commission is in possession of collated results of the March 9 election from 17 local government areas in the state.

Umoh listed the local government areas to include; Ahoada-East, Akuku-Toru, Bonny, Obio-Akpor, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Ogu/Bolo, Ikwerre, Emohua, Okrika, Oyigbo, Eleme, Andoni, Omuma, Tai, Etche and Port Harcourt City.

He said collation of results would take place in six local government areas, including: Abua-Odual, Asari-Toru, Gokana, Ahoada-West, Khana and Degema.

The administrative secretary, who stated that the issue before INEC is collation of results, explained that before the suspension, some local government areas had already started collection.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out the conduct of fresh governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State.

This is as the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara, walked out of the stakeholders’ meeting organised by INEC to continue the suspended March 9 elections in the state.

The meeting, which held at an event centre, located along Eastern Bye-Pass, Port Harcourt, was boycotted by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Labour Party (LP).

Speaking at the meeting, INEC National Commissioner in-charge of Bayelsa, Rivers and Edo States, May Agbamuche-Mbu, emphasised that a fresh election would not be conducted in the state.

Agbamuche-Mbu, who stated that the commission would resume collation in Rivers State on April 2, 2019, said the objective of the meeting is to brief stakeholders on the activities and schedule of the collation by the electoral body.

In his remarks at the meeting, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who dismissed insinuations that the state is prone to violence, advocated the non involvement of the military during elections to guarantee free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in the country.

Wike urged the commission to publish the list of security personnel that would be stationed at the collation centre to avoid disruption of the process.

Also in his remarks, the state commissioner of police, Usman Balel, who assured that the police is committed to providing adequate security for the people, called on stakeholders to embrace peace and accept the outcome of the process .

Earlier in his welcome remarks, INEC Administrative Secretary in the state, Etim Umoh, said the commission is in possession of collated results of the March 9 election from 17 local government areas in the state.

Umoh listed the local government areas to include; Ahoada-East, Akuku-Toru, Bonny, Obio-Akpor, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Ogu/Bolo, Ikwerre, Emohua, Okrika, Oyigbo, Eleme, Andoni, Omuma, Tai, Etche and Port Harcourt City.

He said collation of results would take place in six local government areas, including: Abua-Odual, Asari-Toru, Gokana, Ahoada-West, Khana and Degema.

The administrative secretary, who stated that the issue before INEC is collation of results, explained that before the suspension, some local government areas had already started collection.

Insisting that it is the duty of INEC to call erring staff to order, Umoh noted that it is on this premise the process was suspended.

He stated that the collation would hold at INEC headquarters in Port Harcourt between April 2 and April 5, while warning that only names of agents already submitted would be accepted.