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Rivers State Sets Standard as Peaceful Polls, Campaigns Lead the Way

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1 year ago

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Head of mission of Rivers State Local Government polls observation , Dr Gabriel Nwambu has confirmed that 330 observers were deployed across board and no thuggery or violence has been recorded by his mission.

Recall there was adequate security beef up before the polls and during the Local Government polls in a professional manner without molestation.

Dr Nwambu further confirmed this during an interview on Saturday evening stating that: ” As the head of mission for election observation here in Rivers State, my centre has deployed about 330 observers across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.

“And we had a pre-election observation and analysis which we have conducted where we made a needs analysis of what has transpired. And we noticed the pre-election there was no election-related violence.

“There was no acrimony. People were campaigning strictly on issue base and personalities were not being attacked, unlike the conventional elections in the past.

” And what is happening today is that elections started in good time, although it is not in all the polling units that elections commence at 8:30am.

” There were pockets of areas where there were little delays, like elections commence around 9 o’clock and 9:30am, like the ward 7, and some areas in Elelewon, elections commence at about 9 o’clock, 8:45am and all that.

On the security situation, Nwambu observed that: “”So generally, the environment is peaceful. We’ve not observed any incidents of electoral-related violence. The security, the police, which is the lead agency in charge of internal security and democratic process, such as this, is on top of the game. And I think so far, it is good.

“You see, the checkpoints are okay. It is manned by a joint task force made up of the several law enforcement agencies, including the military. It’s not difficult as usual. The joint task force are well abriefed. They are well trained.

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” They are strictly adhering to the rules of engagement. This is one of the best elections in terms of the performance index of the law enforcement agencies. They are not beating up anybody.

” They are not brutalising anybody. Unlike in the past, where you would introduce yourself as an election observer, they would pretend as if they were not even hearing you.

” This time, they are even ready to assist you to cross and go your way, provided you conduct yourself in a peaceful manner. So, I think the security situation here in River State is excellent.

“And to show the level of compliance in terms of restriction of movement, we also observed young men playing football, playing soccer along the roads, showing that the roads were desolate, within intra city.

” So, we believe that the electorates are happy. They came out en masse to exercise their franchise, which they feel is long overdue. And elections should really take this pace for which this election is going.

“We would recommend this pattern of election for Nigeria any day, any time, because of the peaceful disposition of both the electorates, the peaceful disposition of the candidates themselves, and then the peaceful disposition of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, which so far has demonstrated capacity and competence in terms of the level of preparedness and dispensation of the electoral mandates.

” What is happening today is the supremacy and predominance of the rule of law. What is happening in Rivers State is that following the nullification of the election that was held last year for local government and the councillorship and local government chairman by the Supreme Court, we see a demonstration, the people’s zeal to participate.

” In previous elections, there are very high voter apathy, where people are not interested in voting. But this time, people are participating. And I will tell you, one very, very hydra-headed problem we used to have in Nigeria, even in the past by-election that was held a few weeks ago in Nigeria, there is no single atom of vote-buying recorded anywhere.

“We have not observed that. In all the observers we deployed to the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, there is no case of vote-buying observed anywhere. I mean, this is a pace setter. This is how an election should be. The environment is peaceful.

” The people are docile and behaving themselves in line with the expected conduct of electorates. Even the politicians are interested in issue-based, they are not interfering in the process of election.

“Honestly, this is not yet to Uhuru, because we still have about 4 o’clock before the voting will round up completely. But I believe, honestly, that this election should be, from what we have observed so far, is one of the best elections in the history of Nigeria.

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KANSIEC Chairman Advises Fruits Sellers Association to Modernize Business

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14 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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The Fruits Sellers Association, Kano State Chapter, has been advised to develop a strategic plan within a specific timeframe to modernize its business operations.

The Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC, Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi, gave the advice during a courtesy visit by members of the association to his office.

Professor Malumfashi stated that the fruit business anywhere in the world serves customers from all backgrounds, both rich and poor, due to the importance of fruits in food consumption.

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He maintained that the association should seek recognition across the three tiers of government in order to benefit from government policies and programmes.

The KANSIEC Chairman added that the present administration under the Executive Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, is transforming Kano into a modern metropolitan city with many parks. He said fruit sellers should secure designated spaces around the corners of flyovers across the city.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Fruits Sellers Association of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, Alhaji Safiyanu Abdullahi, said they visited KANSIEC to seek guidance on how to conduct free, fair, and peaceful elections within the association.

Bashir Habib Yahya
Media Aide to the KANSIEC Chairman
Date: 11/09/2026

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Breaking :Former PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur Is Dead

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17 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Former Chairman of the peoples Democratic party during Jonathan’s administration Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is dead .

A credible source in Yola the capital of Adamawa state informed Nigerian Tracker that Alhaji Bamanga Tukur passes on in Abuja.

The source said his body will later be conveyed to Yola the capital of Adamawa state for funeral at the palace of Lamidon Adamawa Alhaji Muhammad Barkindo .

 

Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Mahmud Tukur (CON) was a prominent Nigerian politician, businessman, administrator, and elder statesman who has had a towering impact on Nigeria’s socio-political and economic sectors for over six decades.

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He was widely recognized for his roles as the former Governor of the old Gongola State, the former Minister of Industries, and the former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Early Life and EducationDate of Birth: Born on 15 September 1935 in what is today Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Higher Education: He obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree from the University of Pittsburgh in the United States.

Honorary Recognition: He was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (Honoris Causa) by Benue State University in Makurdi, Nigeria.

Traditional Titles: Reflecting his high regional and cultural status, he holds the distinguished traditional titles of Tafidan Adamawa and Wakilin Ganye in Adamawa State.

Career in Public Service & Governance
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA):
Served as General Manager/Chief Executive from 1975 to 1982, managing port congestion and modernizing seaports.

Governor of Old Gongola State: Elected during the Second Republic in 1982, serving a brief term before the December 1983 military coup.

Minister for Industries: Served under General Sani Abacha’s military administration from 1993 to 1995.

Business and Continental Leadership Founder of BHI Holdings (Daddo Group),

Tukur expanded his economic influence across Africa:

Africa Business Roundtable (ABR): Founder, past president, and Life Patron.

NEPAD Business Group: Elected Chairman in March 2002.

International Maritime Stature: First African Vice President of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH)

PDP National Chairmanship (2012–2014)Elected PDP National Chairman in March 2012.

 

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Nigeria’s Oil Output Hits 1.573m bpd as OPEC Production Rises–Report Says

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1 day ago

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September 11, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nigeria’s crude oil production, excluding condensate, rose by 35,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.573 million bpd in August 2026, from 1.537 million bpd in July, according to the latest data from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The increase, representing a 2.3 per cent month-on-month (MoM) growth, places Nigeria among OPEC members that recorded higher production during the month.

OPEC, in its latest monthly data based on direct communication from member countries, said Nigeria’s August output was its highest monthly production level in the data provided for 2026.

The August figure also exceeded Nigeria’s average production of 1.552 million bpd in the second quarter of 2026, indicating a gradual improvement in upstream output.

The development comes amid renewed efforts by the Federal Government and oil producers to boost production through improved security, fresh upstream investments, new projects and the rehabilitation of existing assets.

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Across OPEC, crude oil production increased by 346,000 bpd to 24.081 million bpd in August, from 23.735 million bpd in July.

Iraq recorded the largest increase among OPEC members, with output surging by 664,000 bpd to 3.378 million bpd. Kuwait followed with a 49,000-bpd increase to 1.894 million bpd, while the United Arab Emirates added 54,000 bpd to reach 3.835 million bpd.

Venezuela also increased production by 23,000 bpd to 1.145 million bpd.

However, some major producers recorded declines. Saudi Arabia’s output fell by 75,000 bpd to 7.276 million bpd, while Algeria and Libya declined by 8,000 bpd and 9,000 bpd to 999,000 bpd and 1.355 million bpd respectively.

Iran recorded the largest decline, with production dropping by 399,000 bpd to 2.086 million bpd.

Beyond OPEC, total production by the broader OPEC+ group, comprising OPEC members and participating non-OPEC producers under the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC), rose by 297,000 bpd to 38.055 million bpd in August.

Within the non-OPEC DoC group, Kazakhstan increased production by 159,000 bpd to 1.807 million bpd, while Russia cut output by 160,000 bpd to 8.718 million bpd.

For Nigeria, the latest production increase could provide some relief to government revenue and foreign exchange earnings, given the continued importance of crude oil exports to the economy.

Nigeria has set a target of raising crude oil production towards three million bpd by 2030, making sustained increases essential to achieving the ambition.

However, the country still faces significant challenges, including ageing fields, infrastructure constraints, crude theft, funding difficulties and the need to attract new investment into the upstream sector.

The August performance therefore represents progress, but maintaining the upward trend will be crucial if Nigeria is to close the gap between current production and its ambitious 2030 target.

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