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Abia Returning Officer Was Visibly Happy She Favored A Party, I Knew She Would Be Unfair To Other Parties — Ikpeazu

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The Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has accused the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission at the just-concluded March 18 governorship election in the state, Prof. Nnenna Oti, of being “unfair” to parties that participated in the poll.

In an interview with Channels TV on Monday night, Ikpeazu alleged that Oti was “visibly happy” that she “favoured” a party.

Ikpeazu added that before the poll, he carried out some background checks on the returning officer and complained to INEC that she wouldn’t be fair in the electoral process because of the coincidence in her name and a contender in the poll but got assurances from the electoral umpire.

On March 22, Oti, who is the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, declared Labour Party’s Alex Otti the winner of the March 18 governorship election in Abia.

The declaration followed the resumption of the final collation of governorship election results in Umuahia, the state capital over 48 hours after INEC suspended the exercise in the state.

On March 28, Oti while being received by her staff and students, said she was threatened and pressured during the poll but she stood her ground.

She made the revelation while being welcomed by the management, staff and students of the university.

“As an electoral officer, I have never in my life participated in any election, but duty came calling, I made my inquiries from Abuja,” Oti said.

“If I perish, I perish, they came with their threats, they came with their money, they came with their intimidation.”

Reacting to Oti’s comment, Ikpeazu described it as very unfortunate as she lacked the power to manipulate results.

“This is very unfortunate. I have not met that professor and I am shocked because in the first place, if she is a professor, she doesn’t even have the capacity to manipulate results because these are results that emanated from the units, collated at the wards, collated at the local governments and brought for her to just add them up and announce. I’ve not met her before; I’ve not spoken to her. If I have met her, if I have spoken to her, let her come to the public and declare so. So, I am shocked that she is making a big noise out of nothing,” the governor said.

Ikpeazu also said he knew the returning officer would be “unfair” due to the coincidence in her name and that of the LP candidate.

“At some point when I saw the coincidence in name and traced a little bit of her background, I complained to INEC that this lady was not going to be fair but they assured me that they had profiled her. I am still shocked. What she has portrayed in the aftermath of her service or stewardship in Abia indicates the fact that she is visibly happy with what she did. Her level of bias in that regard could be placed in favour of a party. She has portrayed that she had something at the back of her mind before she came,” Ikpeazu added.

BIG STORY

Protest Rocks Lagos Over Alleged Killing Of Marwa Driver By NURTW Boss

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A 55-year-old transport union leader on Lagos Island, Shamsideen Oladiti, widely known as Shamelon, has been taken into custody over accusations of assault and murder.

The Lagos State Police Command confirmed his arrest in a statement on Friday, noting that Oladiti is being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti-Yaba, where investigations into both incidents are ongoing.

Information made available indicates that on September 17, 2025, around 3 p.m., the suspect attacked a dispatch rider in Lagos Island, allegedly using his fists and a helmet to inflict serious injuries.

The rider was rushed to a hospital and is said to be receiving treatment on oxygen support.

It was gathered that Oladiti had earlier been accused in another case linked to an altercation on August 28, 2025.

In that encounter, he allegedly used a metallic ring to repeatedly strike a man on the head and face, causing severe wounds.

Despite medical attention, the man passed away on September 17, 2025, and his body has since been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.

News of the victim’s death sparked protests at the suspect’s office in Sandgrouse Market, Lagos Island, where mourners of the deceased set two motorcycles ablaze, escalating tensions in the area.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, led a team of mobile policemen, tactical squads, and regular officers to the scene to restore calm.

He assured residents that the suspect remains in custody and would face charges once investigations are finalized.

The commissioner also appealed for calm, urging Lagos residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding while stressing the police command’s commitment to delivering justice.

Meanwhile, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, clarified that the dispatch rider attacked on Wednesday is still alive, contrary to earlier reports of his death.

She said: “We have confirmed from the family that he is still alive. He is not dead, although he is currently breathing with the aid of oxygen.

“The one who died passed on September 17th. He was also beaten by Oladiti on August 28th but died on Wednesday, September 17th.”

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Fubara To Address Rivers People At 6pm

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The reinstated governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, resumed duty at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday and announced plans to address residents of the state by 6 p.m.

His return comes after the expiration of the emergency rule imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu on March 18.

Earlier on Friday, Fubara arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, accompanied by his wife, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Chief of Staff Edison Ehie, and other officials.

He was warmly received by former commissioners, local government chairmen, and other political leaders who gathered to welcome him.

Upon his arrival at the Government House, the governor expressed gratitude to Rivers people for their overwhelming show of support.

He said: “I know everybody wants to hear something from me. In fact, I expected it when I landed.

“Let me first of all appreciate the wonderful people of Rivers State. I am really humbled by what I saw at the Airport.

“I was thrilled by the photographs of what happened here yesterday. That reception really humbled me.

“It shows love, confidence and solidarity. I want to say that it is not just a celebration. It is a show of the reactivation of the bond between this government and the people of Rivers State.

“I want to assure you that we will, by the grace of God, continue to give those things that made you people love us. I want to thank everybody and to say that we love you, but God loves you more.”

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BREAKING: Fubara Arrives Port Harcourt Airport

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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, returned to Port Harcourt on Friday, touching down at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, just two days after President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency rule on the state and directed his reinstatement.

The governor’s aircraft landed at exactly 11:50 a.m.

He was welcomed by a large crowd of supporters and political allies, including former Information and Communications Commissioner, Barr. Emma Okah; ex-Health Commissioner, Dr. Adaeze Oreh; former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Oji Ngofa; ex-Environment Commissioner, Sydney Gbara; and Victor Oko-Jumbo, former factional Speaker of the state assembly.

Others at the airport included former Youth Commissioner, Chisom Gbali; ex-Physical Planning Commissioner, Evans Bipi; former NUPENG President, Igwe Achese; ex-Education Commissioner, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja; as well as past chairmen of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor councils, Ezebunwo Ichemati and others.

 

More to come…

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