Unlike other elections where results from polling units were readily available online at the end of counting, Rivers rerun brings a different case. This may not be unconnected with the security situation in the state.
PREMIUM TIMES has reached out to non-partisan sources across collation centres who have started sending in results, although not yet officially declared by INEC.
DEGEMA LGA
SENATE:
APC 1,972
LP – 19
NNPP – 06
PDP 9,964
PPA – 12
SDP – 23
HOUSE OF REPS:
PDP – 10,056
APC – 1,809
LP – 29
NCP – 17
Degema is part of Rivers West senatorial district and pairs with Bonny LGA to form Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency.
PDP clinches Bonny State Constituency seat
The Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Bonny state constituency election, Abinye Pepple, has been declared winner of the election.
obio-akporPREMIUM TIMES obtained INEC document signed by the returning officer, Ekuka Kalu.
Mr. Pepple got 6,610 votes to defeat his All Progressives Congress’ opponent, Henry Halliday, who came second with 2330 votes.
Bonny is part of Rivers West senatorial district.
Abua/Odual LGA (result from a source at the collation centre)
Senate:
APC – 6,542
PDP – 19,707
Abua/Odual LGA is part of Rivers West senatorial district.
Obio/Akpor LGA (result from result sheet signed by collation officer, Ndarake Iya)
Senate
APC 10,630
PDP 29,828
Obio/Akpor, Governor Nyesom Wike’s local governmetn, is part of Rivers East senatorial district. Election did not hold there for federal and state constituencies.
PDP leads in Rivers West senatorial election
The Peoples Democratic Party is leading in Rivers West senatorial district, results obtained from non-partisan sources at the collation centres have shown.
Rivers West consists of eight local governments, namely Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, ONELGA; Ahoada West; Ahoada East, AELGA; Abua/Odual, ABOLGA; Degema; Akuku-Toru; Asari-Toru; and Bonny.
PDP’s Osinakachukwu Ideozu and his APC counterpart,, Otelemaba Amachree, contested the senate election that held yesterday to represent the district in the National Assembly.
PREMIUM TIMES obtained results, as compiled by non-partisan sources at collation centres, from five local governments, all won by the PDP.
Bonny – PDP, 6,662; 2,282
Degema – PDP, 9,964, APC, 1,972
ABOLGA – PDP,19,707; APC, 6,542
Degema – PDP, 9,964, APC, 1,972
ONELGA – PDP, 4,277; 1,435
AELGA 1 – PDP, 11, 447; 5, 838
ABOLGA – PDP,19,707; APC, 6,542
The remaining local governments whose results are being expected are Akuku Toru, Asari-Toru and Ahoada West.
Results of two local governments in the Rivers East Senatorial District election (as sent by non-partisan sources at collation centres)
Port Harcourt LGA
APC: 9,618, PDP: 28,305
Ogun-Bolo LGA PDP 4,578 APC 1,844
Official results for Rivers East Senatorial District
Etche LGA
APC 1,258, PDP: 6,926
Okrika LGA
APC 1,552 PDP 2,994
Omuna LGA
APC 3,052, PDP 5,606
APC wins Khana, Gokana state constituencies
APC’s candidates for the elections into Khana 2 and Gokana state constituencies – – Friday Nkeeh and innocent Narikoh respectively – have been returned winners by INEC.
PDP set to win two senatorial districts
The Peoples Democratic Party looks good to clinch two of the three senatorial districts in Rivers State based on results so far declared by INEC.
In the Rivers West senatorial district, Osinachukwu Ideozu has won in all five local governments, LGAs, whose results were officially declared by INEC.
Bonny – PDP, 6,662; 2,282
Degema – PDP, 9,964, APC, 1,972
ABOLGA – PDP,19,707; APC, 6,542
Degema – PDP, 9,964, APC, 1,972
ONELGA – PDP, 4,277; 1,435
AELGA 1- PDP, 11, 447; 5, 838
The remaining three LGAs in the district are likely to be won by PDP.
In Rivers East senatorial district where Messrs. Wike and Amaechi hail from, George Sekibo is coasting home to victory, having left a wide margin between him and his challenger from APC.
Etche LGA
APC 1,258, PDP: 6,926
Okrika LGA
APC 1,552 PDP 2,994
Omuna LGA
APC 3,052, PDP 5,606
Port Harcourt LGA
APC: 9,618 PDP: 28,305
Ogu-Bolo LGA
PDP 4,578 APC 1,844
Obio/Akpor LGA
APC 10,630 PDP 29,828
The outcome from Ikwerre is still being awaited.
16.57: Sources in Andoni, one of the LGAs in Rivers South East senatorial district, have told PREMIUM TIMES that the Returning Officer for the riverine LGA has absconded after results had been collated.
The development has stalled declaration of results and caused protest in the area. Attached are pictures of people protesting in the wake of the alleged disappearance of the returning officer.
andoni andini-2
17.26: Rivers Rerun: Controversy trails non-announcement of Ikwerre results
Results of senatorial, federal and state constituencies elections held in Ikwerre and Emouha local government areas, LGAs, are yet to be announced, hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission announced results from six other councils in Rivers East senatorial district.
Ikwerre and Emouha are in Rivers East senatorial district, as are Obio-Akpor, Okrika, Ogu-Bolo, Etche, Port Harcourt and Omuma LGAs.
Both LGAs are also paired to form Ikwerre/Emouha federal constituency.
But there have been allegations that the delay in releasing the Ikwerre result is a consequence of the actions taken by the Minister for Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, allegedly aided by security operatives.
The PDP spokesperson in Rivers State, Samuel Nwanosike, alleged that Mr. Amaechi, alongside the Commissioner of Police deployed to Rivers East, soldiers, and police officers, stormed the collation centre on Saturday evening to hijack results.
He alleged that the security operatives, allegedly cooperating with Mr. Amaechi, forcibly sent people, including journalists and opposition agents, out of the venue and locked it up.
Mr. Nwanosike said that before Mr. Amaechi arrived with “200 soldiers”, the Commissioner of Police had come to “lock the doors and declare nobody goes out; nobody comes.”
He said when the police boss was confronted, he said he was acting on “instructions from the federal government.”
The spokesperson accused the minister of “hijacking all the results”.
The development led to protest last night by PDP supporters in Ikwerre.
“Now, we are mobilising for another protest to INEC office at Isiokpo,” Mr. Nwanosike said.
PDP believes results are with Mr, Amaechi, he added.
A corps member and election personnel who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES, asking not to be named for security reasons, lamented the conduct of the exercise in Ikwerre and attested to claims soldiers taking sides with APC to manipulate outcomes.
Mr. Amaechi could not be reached for comments.
His spokesperson, David Iyiofor, did not answer repeated calls placed to his phone; neither did he reply a text seeking response to accusations made against the minister.
He had told PREMIUM TIMES yesterday that the minister could not vote because hoodlums snatched result sheet for his polling unit.
Interestingly, the APC ‘helped’ circulate an army statement through
[email protected], denying bias in the polls.
The statement signed by Kasimu Abdulkarim, general officer commanding of the 6 division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, read:
“It is true that soldiers of 6 Division Nigerian Army provided security during the Rivers legislative re-run election.
“These people allegedly accused soldiers of ballot box snatching, illegal escorts of some politicians, arrest and detention of voters during the general conduct of the elections.
“The weighty nature of these allegations could cause members of the public to view soldiers negatively, hence the need to adequately inform the general public on the true perspective.
“The public thus need to consider them as mere farce to garner public sympathy.”
Meanwhile, PDP has won in the other six LGAs in the senatorial district whose results have been announced by INEC.
The results so far for the Rivers East senatorial district are:
Etche LGA
APC 1,258, PDP: 6,926
Okrika LGA
APC 1,552 PDP 2,994
Omuna LGA
APC 3,052, PDP 5,606
Port Harcourt LGA
APC: 9,618 PDP: 28,305
Ogu-Bolo LGA
PDP 4,578 APC 1,844
Obio/Akpor LGA
APC 10,630 PDP 29,828
17.40: INEC officials desert Rivers East Collation Centre
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have deserted the Rivers East senatorial district collation centre, further raising uncertainties over the election.
The officials left one after the other, leaving only the Returning Officer.
Before this development, results of six of the 8 LGAs that constitute Rivers East have been taken and declared officially. PDP is maintaining clear lead but results from the remaining two LGAs of Ikwerre and Emouha are still unavailable.
Currently, PDP supporters are protesting in Ikwerre, alleging ‘original results’ had been hijacked by Mr. Amaechi since last night.
Mr. Amaechi’s spokesperson refused to comment on this.
UPDATED: Collated Results In Andoni Taken By Soldiers After Returning Officer Absconds
Our sources in Andoni, Rivers South East senatorial district, said soldiers invade the collation centre, shooting sporadically, and made away with collated but yet to be announced results. This happened after the returning officer had absconded as earlier reported.
18.01: “Military Takes Over Collation Centre In Emohua, Sets To Concoct Results” – PDP Claims
The collation centre of one of the two LGAs in Rivers East senatorial district whose results are being awaited at senatorial collation centre in Port Harcourt, Emohua, has been taken over by soldiers, PDP officials say
Governor Nyesom Wike’s spokesperson, Franklin Oraye, said, “All PDP agents have been sent out as the collation of concocted results is set to begin.”
Mr. Oraye claimed, “A certain Col. Ali of the Nigerian Army has arrested the Chairman of Emohua LGA and his Driver and is now taking them to an unknown destination.
“Emohua LGA currently under siege with sporadic gunshots as the Army tries to pave way for Amaechi to change the results in favour of APC’s Andrew Uchendu, who was massively rejected. From the unit results Sen. George Thompson Sekibo was overwhelmingly elected to represent the Senatorial District.”
PREMIUM TIMES has not been able to independently verify these claims from partisan claims
Meanwhile, INEC officials at the senatorial collation centre at the City Council Hall, Port Harcourt have deserted the place, leaving only the Returning Officer.
The Returning Officer said he was worried with the development.
20.53: The candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Rivers South East senatorial district election that held on Saturday, Magnus Abe, has been returned winner, becoming the first Senator-elect in the Rivers Rerun polls.
Mr. Abe of Nigeria’s ruling APC was declared winner by the INEC Returning Officer on Sunday evening.
Mr. Abe Abe polled a total of 125,938 votes to defeat Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party who garnered. 25,394 votes.
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY SENATOR- ELECT OF RIVERS SOUTH EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT, MAGNUS NGEI ABE
First is to say that this has been a titanic struggle; it has been a very difficult two years for Rivers people and for all of us.
My victory in this election is a reward for faithfulness. I have been faithful to my party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). I have been faithful to my people, the people of the Rivers South East Senatorial District and I have been faithful to my leaders and I think God in his infinite mercies has rewarded me with this unprecedented victory. There is no victor, no vanquish.
I want to thank my friend and brother, Distinguished Senator Olaka Nwogu for his very kind and peaceful words, which he has expressed to the people of this state.
I also want to use this opportunity to extend a hand of friendship to the executive Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike and to say to him that he had promised that there was nothing personal in this contest and he has said that if I win he will congratulate me. The only barometer for measuring success in an election in this country is the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the commission has declared me the winner, I want to call on the governor to keep his words and send me his letter and words of congratulation because I have won.
I want to also say that Rivers State has suffered enough and that it is time for us to bring this contest to an end.
I want to thank my leaders, President Muhammadu Buhari, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, my wife, my family and most importantly, the people of Rivers South East Senatorial District. You have spoken and you have spoken loud and clear. We should respect your views. We should work together to make this district a better place for Nigerians to live.
I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate for their kind words, friendship and support and I look forward to joining them in the red chamber as soon as possible.
Thank you and God bless.
Rivers Rerun: Wike claims victory for PDP in two undeclared senatorial districts
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday evening demanded the Independent National Electoral Commission release outstanding results in the Rivers West and East senatorial districts, claiming the candidates of his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have won in the two areas.
In the third senatorial district, Rivers South East, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Magnus Abe, already clinched victory, leaving the other two open.
But Mr. Wike said the results from the Rivers East and West showed the PDP had won in the two senatorial districts; thus, he asked INEC to announce the remaining results ‘untampered with’ and declare his party’s candidates winners.
For Rivers East, results of six local governments, LGAs, have been collated with PDP winning all, while outcomes of the remaining two LGAs – Ikwerre and Emohua – are being awaited.
But Mr. Wike said he believed there is a plot to inflate results of the two LGAs to overturn his party’s lead.
“The result of Rivers East has been held down by the plots of INEC , the Army and the Police to manipulate the results of Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas for the purpose of concocting the senatorial results in favour of the APC .
“As I speak with you, they are doing everything possible to rewrite the result of Emohua Local Government Area to ensure that the APC wins,” he said.
“Release Rivers East Senatorial District where Senator George Sekibo has won clearly . Release Rivers West Senatorial District where Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu has won clearly . INEC should release Andoni/ Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency where Abiante has won and Andoni State Constituency where Ikunyi Ibani has won clearly.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Wike also hit back at senior lawyer and President Muhammadu Buhari’s adviser on anti-graft campaign, Itse Sagay, who accused the governor of being responsible for the shortcomings that characterised the Rivers rerun.
Speaking in an interview with the Independent, Mr. Sagay had said, “Definitely, INEC is doing very well now. The case of Rivers State is not the fault of INEC in any way because we have totally determined and desperate politicians, led by the state governor, Nyesom Wike.
“These ones are determined that there will be no free and fair elections in Rivers state.”
But in his reaction, through the state’s Commissioner for Information, Austin Tam-George, the governor described Mr. Sagay “as a false intellectual with a broken moral compass and beneficiary of the current dictatorship of the All Progressives Congress-led government.”
“Prof. Sagay is an irresponsible defender of the APC’s regime of impunity. He is a happy beneficiary of the current dictatorship. No one in Nigeria takes Sagay with a pint of seriousness. He is one of the pseudo-intellectuals seduced by the honey of power,” he said.
The Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Asari-Toru/ Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency, Boma Godhead, has been declared winner by INEC, PREMIUM TIMES has confirmed.
She defeated Dawari George of the APC.
Godhead’s victory brings the number of seats clinched by PDP so far to two. Earlier, the party’s candidate for Okrika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency, Gogo Tamuno, was declared winner, defeating Maureen Tamuno of the APC.
APC has also won two federal constituency seats – Gokana/Khana and Tai/Oyigbo/Eleme.
Rivers Rerun: Amaechi speaks on Ikwerre ‘hijacked’ results
The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has denied allegations that his actions led to the non-declaration of results from Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas, LGAs.
Mr. Amaechi stressed that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, should be allowed to announce results when it is ready.
Ikwerre and Emohua are two of the eight LGAs that constitute Rivers East senatorial district.
While results from the other six LGAs have been announced with PDP winning all, there are uncertainties over Ikwerre and Emohua results.
Governor Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party accused Mr. Amaechi of using the Army and Police to hijack Ikwerre result Saturday night.
For Emohua, the Governor and his spokesperson, Franklin Oraye, separately said, Sunday night, that the military had taken over the collation centre to “concoct fake results”.
They said Mr. Amaechi, the APC leader, is being aided by the military and police officers as well as INEC to tamper with original results from the two LGAs in order to overturn PDP’s lead in the six already announced.
But Mr. Amaechi, Monday, told PREMIUM TIMES the allegations against him were spurious.
He said INEC should be accorded the liberty to announce results freely, warning Mr. Wike he has no right to decide for INEC on when to release results.
Mr. Amaechi spoke through his spokesperson, David Iyiofor, via a text.
“The Minister is not aware of what Wike is talking about,” read the text.
“Wike must allow INEC to collate and announce the results of the rerun elections. As governor, Wike cannot be INEC or dictate to INEC how and when to announce election results.
“It’s sad, very sad that Wike is desecrating the office of the governor of Rivers State with all this spurious and silly allegations.”