Growing Insecurity in Rivers: Impacts of Re-Run Elections

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Growing Insecurity in Rivers: Impacts of Re-Run Elections THE FUND FOR PEACE PARTNERSHIPS INITATIVE IN THE NIGER DELTA NIGER DELTA PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE Growing Insecurity in Rivers: Impacts of Re-Run Elections Briefing: May 2016 Elections have been a cyclical driver of House of Assembly and Governorship Rivers State, Nigeria conflict risk and violence in Rivers state elections in Rivers. The Independent since 1999. The state was reported to have National Election Commission (INEC) had the highest number of violent incidents headquarters in the state were reportedly during the 2015 general elections in Nigeria. burnt down during the 11 April 2015 In the lead-up and aftermath of the 2016 gubernatorial and state House of Assembly legislative election rerun on 19 March, elections. Heavy gun shots and fatalities Rivers was once again marred by wide- were reported across the state amidst a spread political and cult violence with massive deployment of public security fatalities in the lead-up surpassing any forces. period since 2009. This ongoing cycle of insecurity is not only impacting the citizens There were allegations of widespread voter of the state, but also business. manipulation, intimidation, violence, and hijacking of voting materials. The outcome According to the National Bureau of of the elections was characterised by Statistics, Rivers has the second largest GDP protests and petitions. Eventually, 22 out of after Lagos, but it is also one of the most the 32 State House of Assembly seats and violent states per capita in the Niger Delta. 12 of the 13 Federal House of Representa- This briefing outlines the growing insecurity With increasing insecurity in the state tives, as well as three Senators elected on in Rivers State, Nigeria in the lead up to the surrounding election cycles in 2015 and the platform of the People’s Democratic latest round of the legislative elections in 2016, there are growing concerns that local Party (PDP), were nullified by the elections March 2016. With the previous legislative businesses are being impacted, investors petitions tribunal. election results nullified, this briefing may invest elsewhere, and the state may identifies the conflict patterns, trends and even see international companies start to The Court of Appeal later affirmed the hotspots in during the March re-run which rethink their physical presence in the hub of nullification on the grounds that the saw increased violence and fatalities. Port Harcourt. elections did not substantially comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act. The Scope and Limitations: We recognize that the Background nullification of the initial elections necessi- tated the 19 March 2016 legislative re-run data collected in this project is not an elections, which were also fraught with exhaustive tally of all incidents of violence. Several incidents of irregularities and allegations of violence including killings, However, to the extent that data are repre- violence were reported during the 2015 intimidation of political opponents, and vote sentative of the patterns and trends, findings Presidential, National Assembly, State rigging. are indicated in the report. MAY 2016: RIVERS MARCH RE - RUN ELECTION BRIEFING Rising Political and Cult Violence Rise in Political Violence Since 2015 Reported Conflict Incidents and Fatalities in Rivers State Rivers state has had increased levels of 120 violence and insecurity since January 2015, 100 as outlined in the Figure 1 graph. This corresponds with the period of fierce 80 political jostling between Governor Nyesom Wike and Rotimi Amaechi. Overall levels of 60 insecurity rose from January 2015, as 40 manifested in the form of killings, robberies, cult clashes and political assassinations. 20 Since the run-up to the March/April 2015 0 general elections, fierce rhetoric has often Jul-15 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jun-15 characterized exchanges between party Oct-15 Feb-15 Feb-16 Sep-15 Apr-16 Apr-15 Dec-15 Aug-15 Nov-15 Mar-16 Mar-15 May-15 supporters on radio, television and social media channels, including calls to take up Incidents Fatalities arms against the military, to attack INEC Trend shows a significant rise in violence in the lead up to the 19th March 2016 legislative election re-run. This is consistent with spikes officials on Election Day, to form a parallel in conflict incidents and fatalities during the March 2015 presidential election, gubernatorial elections in April 2015, judicial rulings government, as well as statements regarding sacked council chairpersons in July 2015, and the judicial ruling nullifying the legislative election results in December 2015. Data source: Nigeria Watch www.nigeriawatch.org ; ACLED www.acleddata.com denigrating the judiciary and other important institutions. This inflammatory rhetoric may have contributed to incidents Cult Violence in Rivers State of violence breaking out between the candidate’s supporters, pushing the state 16 60 14 into deeper levels of insecurity. 50 12 40 Linking Cult Violence to Political Insecurity 10 8 30 A common feature of violence in Rivers is 6 20 the correlation between activities by cult 4 groups, militants and political thugs. In the 10 2 lead-up to the March 2016 legislative re-run elections, cult-related violence become 0 0 widespread in almost all the Local Govern- Jul-15 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jun-15 Oct-15 Feb-15 Feb-16 Apr-16 Apr-15 Sep-15 Dec-15 Aug-15 Nov-15 Mar-15 Mar-16 ment Areas (LGAs) in the state. Cult violence May-15 appears to intensify during election periods, Reported incidents of cult violence Cult-related fatalities as many cult groups reportedly depend on the goodwill and patronage of politicians, Trends in reported cult-related incidents suggest violence increases in the lead-up to and aftermath of key political events in Rivers. The who either employ them as informal cult-related fatalities have risen rapidly since November 2015, and remained high throughout the March 2016 re-run election period. security or use them to intimidate or Data sources: Incidents— All sources P4P Map www.p4p-nigerdelta.org; Fatalities— Nigeria Watch , ACLED. potentially kill their opponents in order to influence the outcomes of elections. Many of the cult groups are either commu- help protect their business interests. On the nity-based or built around certain individu- other hand, cult groups are recruited by Political underpinnings of cultism are als, including ex-militant leaders and politicians to perpetrate election violence. suggested by the location of many of politicians, who serve as rallying points for hotbeds of cult violence, including in the members. The connection between cultism, During the three months (December- political activity centres like the state capital militancy and political violence is complex. February) prior to the March 16 legislative and headquarters of LGAs. Cultists are often enlisted by militants to elections, cult-related violence resulted in P IN D N DP I 2 THE FUND FOR PEACE MAY 2016: RIVERS MARCH RE - RUN ELECTION BRIEFING over 100 fatalities across the state. In Drivers of Conflict in Rivers LGAs: Incidents per capita Jan-Mar 2016 December 2015, over a dozen communities were reportedly attacked by cultists resulting in over 17 fatalities in Ogba/ Group Grievance Egbema/Ndoni. Reported clashes between Worse Governance the rival Icelanders and Degbam cult groups caused three fatalities in Ikwere. In January Insecurity 2016, over 20 people were reportedly killed in series of cult violence-related incidents in Ahoada East, Ahoada, West, Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre LGAs. Better Three fatalities were also reported when security agents raided the home of an ex- militant leader. In a related incident, two days prior to the elections, police discov- ered a cache of arms in the residence of the same ex-militant leader who is now part of Trend shows that Asari-Toru LGA is the most violent LGA following by Ikwerre and Akuku-Toru, in the first quarter of 2016 during the the caretaker leadership of Asari Toru LGA. lead up to the March re-run elections. Data source: Nigeria Watch www.nigeriawatch.org; ACLED www.acleddata.com Separately, the house of another ex-militant leader accused of gun-running was reported demolished by soldiers in Gokana. This was Impact of Political Tensions on Overall Insecurity in Rivers followed by clashes between soldiers and 30 supporters of the ex-militant in Khana. The election insecurity and cult-related violence is concentrated in key state hubs 20 such as Port Harcourt, and has impacts not only on residents, but also businesses. As the second largest state economy in Nigeria, the concentration of local and international 10 business interests have the potential to be significantly impacted by the deepening insecurity. With heighted risks to their 0 investments and operations, the state may Jan-15 Apr-15 Jul-15 Oct-15 Jan-16 Apr-16 begin to see negative effects on both new business and existing. Tension/Violence between Political Groups Overall Insecurity Graph shows the correlation between spikes in incidents of broader insecurity in the state, such as shootings/killings and criminality, and incidents related to tension or violence between political groups. The highest levels of conflict in the state occurred during months of key political events. Data source: NigeriaWatch P IN D N DP I 3 THE FUND FOR PEACE MAY 2016: RIVERS MARCH RE - RUN ELECTION BRIEFING Legislative Elections and Implications for Peace and Security Legislative Re-Run Elections in March 2016 On the eve of the elections, an Army officer Political Events Fueling Insecurity and a soldier were reportedly shot dead by gunmen. Overall, the re-run elections were in Rivers State In the build-up to the re-run elections there characterised by electoral irregularities and was palpable fear and tensions across the March 2015 widespread violence, including intimidation state as a result of increasing incidents of General elections held see PDP’s incum- and killings of security agents, party gang violence and politically motivated bent President Goodluck Jonothan loose to opponents and even INEC officials.
Recommended publications
  • Nigeria's Constitution of 1999
    PDF generated: 26 Aug 2021, 16:42 constituteproject.org Nigeria's Constitution of 1999 This complete constitution has been generated from excerpts of texts from the repository of the Comparative Constitutions Project, and distributed on constituteproject.org. constituteproject.org PDF generated: 26 Aug 2021, 16:42 Table of contents Preamble . 5 Chapter I: General Provisions . 5 Part I: Federal Republic of Nigeria . 5 Part II: Powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria . 6 Chapter II: Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy . 13 Chapter III: Citizenship . 17 Chapter IV: Fundamental Rights . 20 Chapter V: The Legislature . 28 Part I: National Assembly . 28 A. Composition and Staff of National Assembly . 28 B. Procedure for Summoning and Dissolution of National Assembly . 29 C. Qualifications for Membership of National Assembly and Right of Attendance . 32 D. Elections to National Assembly . 35 E. Powers and Control over Public Funds . 36 Part II: House of Assembly of a State . 40 A. Composition and Staff of House of Assembly . 40 B. Procedure for Summoning and Dissolution of House of Assembly . 41 C. Qualification for Membership of House of Assembly and Right of Attendance . 43 D. Elections to a House of Assembly . 45 E. Powers and Control over Public Funds . 47 Chapter VI: The Executive . 50 Part I: Federal Executive . 50 A. The President of the Federation . 50 B. Establishment of Certain Federal Executive Bodies . 58 C. Public Revenue . 61 D. The Public Service of the Federation . 63 Part II: State Executive . 65 A. Governor of a State . 65 B. Establishment of Certain State Executive Bodies .
    [Show full text]
  • Towards a New Type of Regime in Sub-Saharan Africa?
    Towards a New Type of Regime in Sub-Saharan Africa? DEMOCRATIC TRANSITIONS BUT NO DEMOCRACY Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos cahiers & conférences travaux & recherches les études The Institut français des relations internationales (Ifri) is a research center and a forum for debate on major international political and economic issues. Headed by Thierry de Montbrial since its founding in 1979, Ifri is a non-governmental and a non- profit organization. As an independent think tank, Ifri sets its own research agenda, publishing its findings regularly for a global audience. Using an interdisciplinary approach, Ifri brings together political and economic decision-makers, researchers and internationally renowned experts to animate its debate and research activities. With offices in Paris and Brussels, Ifri stands out as one of the rare French think tanks to have positioned itself at the very heart of European debate. The opinions expressed in this text are the responsibility of the author alone. The Sub-Saharian Africa Program is supported by: Translated by: Henry Kenrick, in collaboration with the author © Droits exclusivement réservés – Ifri – Paris, 2010 ISBN: 978-2-86592-709-8 Ifri Ifri-Bruxelles 27 rue de la Procession Rue Marie-Thérèse, 21 75740 Paris Cedex 15 – France 1000 Bruxelles – Belgique Tél. : +33 (0)1 40 61 60 00 Tél. : +32 (0)2 238 51 10 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Internet Website : Ifri.org Summary Sub-Saharan African hopes of democratization raised by the end of the Cold War and the decline in the number of single party states are giving way to disillusionment.
    [Show full text]
  • Gov. Rotimi Amaechi, Keynote Speaker
    2014 RSF ANNUAL CONVENTION, OCTOBER 10-13 Gov. Rotimi Amaechi, Keynote Speaker SECURITY AND EMPOWERMENT: Building a Secured Rivers State that Empowers Growth and Citizenship THE WESTIN WASHINGTON DULLES AIRPORT 2520 Wasser Terrace, Herndon, VA 20171 T 703.793.3366 F 703.793.3866 www.westindulles.com Rivers State Foundation (OR copy and paste the following link into a web browser) https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/res?id=1409051887&key=28C8674D Promote your Organizations and Businesses AD: Full color page-$150; 1/2- page-$75; 1/4-page-$50 Send AD in MS Word/PDF format to [email protected] before 9/28/2014 HIGHLIGHTS OF CONFERENCE THEME: SECURITY AND EMPOWERMENT THE POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF SECURITY As recorded in the fundamental objectives and directive policy of state policy enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nige- ria of which Rivers State is a part, the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. However, over the past several years insecurity (and not security) has reigned supreme in our state. Rivers State and much of the Niger Delta area have witnessed threats to security including kidnappings, robberies, murders, gang or cult-related violence and killings, bombings, political vio- lence, etc. These criminal activities emanating from poverty, desperation, loss of values, moral rectitude, and joblessness have tremen- dously impacted the people negatively on several fronts including politically, socio-culturally, and economically. On a few occasions, the U. S. Department of State has warned its citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria, recommending them to avoid all with the exception of essential travel to the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers.
    [Show full text]
  • Farmers Utilization of Insecticide Treated Bed Nets for Malaria
    technol ro og g y A Nlerum, Agrotechnology 2016, 5:2 Agrotechnology DOI: 10.4172/2168-9881.1000150 ISSN: 2168-9881 Research Article Open Access Farmers Utilization of Insecticide Treated Bed Nets for Malaria Prevention in Ahoada East Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria Franklin E Nlerum* Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics/Extension, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Nigeria Abstract The study examined the utilization of insecticide treated bed nets for malaria prevention by rural farmers in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. The sample size of the study was 100 respondents who were randomly selected from farmers in the area who benefited from the free distribution of the nets by Rivers State Government. The questionnaire was used in eliciting data from the respondents. Data were analyzed with percentage, mean score and multiple regression. Socio-economic result shows that the respondents on the average were 40 years old, earned monthly net income of N24,184.00 ($121.38) and spent 11 years in schooling. More results indicated that while the ownership of the net was as high as 71.73%, the actual utilization was as low as 28.27%. Result of multiple regression analysis indicated a multiple determination (R2) value of 0.6333. Determinants of the utilization of the net were age, sex, occupation and educational level of the respondents. The two major constraints in the utilization of the net in the area were inadequate information and poor design and inconvenience of hanging. In order to improve the rate of utilization of the net in the area, the study recommends enhanced information which will lead to a better education of the beneficiaries.
    [Show full text]
  • World Bank Document
    SFG2386 V4 Public Disclosure Authorized ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP) Draft Report For PUBLIC WORKS – Road Maintenance Public Disclosure Authorized (90 Lots) in Twenty-three Local Government Areas, Rivers State Public Disclosure Authorized By Public Disclosure Authorized Rivers State Employment and Expenditure for Results Project (SEEFOR), Ministry of Budget & Economic Planning Under the World Bank Assisted Project and European Union July, 2017 SEEFOR Intervention Works, Road Maintenance, Rivers State Table of Contents Content Page Title Cover i Table of Contents ii List of Tables iii List of Acronyms iv Executive Summary v CHAPTER ONE: Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 The Project Invention Locations 1 1.3 Description of Proposed Activities 1 1.4 Need for ESMP 2 1.5 Approaches for Preparing the ESMP 2 1.5.1 Literature Review 2 1.5.2 Field Visits 2 CHAPTER TWO: Institutional and Legal Framework for Environmental Management 3 2.1 Introduction 3 2.2 Federal Policy/Legislation 3 2.2.1 National Policy on Environment 3 2.2.2 Federal EIA Act No. 86, 1992 3 2.3 Rivers State Environment Protection Law No. 2, 1994 3 2.4 World Bank Safeguards Policy Triggered by SEEFOR & the Proposed Project 3 CHAPTER THREE: Biophysical Environment 4 3.1 Introduction 4 3.2 Project Location 4 3.3 Geology and Ecological Zones 4 3.4 Climate and Rainfall 4 3.5 Waste and Waste Management 4 3.6 Air Quality and Noise Level 4 3.7 Population of the Intervention Areas 4 3.8 Economy and Source of Livelihood 4 3.9 Culture of the People ` 4 3.10 Social Structure
    [Show full text]
  • First Election Security Threat Assessment
    SECURITY THREAT ASSESSMENT: TOWARDS 2015 ELECTIONS January – June 2013 edition With Support from the MacArthur Foundation Table of Contents I. Executive Summary II. Security Threat Assessment for North Central III. Security Threat Assessment for North East IV. Security Threat Assessment for North West V. Security Threat Assessment for South East VI. Security Threat Assessment for South South VII. Security Threat Assessment for South West Executive Summary Political Context The merger between the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and other smaller parties, has provided an opportunity for opposition parties to align and challenge the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This however will also provide the backdrop for a keenly contested election in 2015. The zoning arrangement for the presidency is also a key issue that will define the face of the 2015 elections and possible security consequences. Across the six geopolitical zones, other factors will define the elections. These include the persisting state of insecurity from the insurgency and activities of militants and vigilante groups, the high stakes of election as a result of the availability of derivation revenues, the ethnic heterogeneity that makes elite consensus more difficult to attain, as well as the difficult environmental terrain that makes policing of elections a herculean task. Preparations for the Elections The political temperature across the country is heating up in preparation for the 2015 elections. While some state governors are up for re-election, most others are serving out their second terms. The implication is that most of the states are open for grab by either of the major parties and will therefore make the electoral contest fiercer in 2015 both within the political parties and in the general election.
    [Show full text]
  • Nigeria: from Goodluck Jonathan to Muhammadu Buhari ______
    NNoottee ddee ll’’IIffrrii _______________________ Nigeria: From Goodluck Jonathan to Muhammadu Buhari _______________________ Benjamin Augé December 2015 This study has been realized within the partnership between the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri) and OCP Policy Center The French Institute of International Relations (Ifri) is a research center and a forum for debate on major international political and economic issues. Headed by Thierry de Montbrial since its founding in 1979, Ifri is a non- governmental and a non-profit organization. As an independent think tank, Ifri sets its own research agenda, publishing its findings regularly for a global audience. Using an interdisciplinary approach, Ifri brings together political and economic decision-makers, researchers and internationally renowned experts to animate its debate and research activities. With offices in Paris and Brussels, Ifri stands out as one of the rare French think tanks to have positioned itself at the very heart of European debate. OCP Policy Center is a Moroccan policy-oriented think tank whose mission is to contribute to knowledge sharing and to enrich reflection on key economic and international relations issues, considered as essential to the economic and social development of Morocco, and more broadly to the African continent. For this purpose, the think tank relies on independent research, a network of partners and leading research associates, in the spirit of an open exchange and debate platform. By offering a "Southern perspective" from a middle-income African country, on major international debates and strategic challenges that the developing and emerging countries are facing, OCP Policy Center aims to make a meaningful contribution to four thematic areas: agriculture, environment and food security; economic and social development; commodity economics and finance; and “Global Morocco”, a program dedicated to understanding key strategic regional and global evolutions shaping the future of Morocco.
    [Show full text]
  • The Jonathan Presidency, by Abati, the Guardian, Dec. 17
    The Jonathan Presidency By Reuben Abati Published by The Jonathan Presidency The Jonathan Presidency By Reuben Abati A review of the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency in Nigeria should provide significant insight into both his story and the larger Nigerian narrative. We consider this to be a necessary exercise as the country prepares for the next general elections and the Jonathan Presidency faces the certain fate of becoming lame-duck earlier than anticipated. The general impression about President Jonathan among Nigerians is that he is as his name suggests, a product of sheer luck. They say this because here is a President whose story as a politician began in 1998, and who within the space of ten years appears to have made the fastest stride from zero to “stardom” in Nigerian political history. Jonathan himself has had cause to declare that he is from a relatively unknown village called Otuoke in Bayelsa state; he claims he did not have shoes to wear to school, one of those children who ate rice only at Xmas. When his father died in February 2008, it was probably the first time that Otuoke would play host to the kind of quality crowd that showed up in the community. The beauty of the Jonathan story is to be found in its inspirational value, namely that the Nigerian dream could still take on the shape of phenomenal and transformational social mobility in spite of all the inequities in the land. With Jonathan’s emergence as the occupier of the highest office in the land, many Nigerians who had ordinarily given up on the country and the future felt imbued with renewed energy and hope.
    [Show full text]
  • Alafaka Tobin M.B, B.S
    A COMPARISON OF UPTAKE OF INTERMITTENT PREVENTIVE TREATMENT OF MALARIA IN PREGNANCY IN URBAN AND RURAL PUBLIC PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTRES IN RIVERS STATE BY ALAFAKA TOBIN M.B, B.S A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF NIGERIA IN PART FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF FELLOWSHIP OF THE MEDICAL COLLEGE IN PUBLIC HEALTH MAY, 2016 1 DECLARATION I hereby declare that this study, or part of it, has not been and will not be submitted for any other diploma, fellowship or any other examination. ……………..………. ALAFAKA TOBIN M.B, B.S 2 CERTIFICATION This is to certify that this dissertation titled “A Comparison Of Uptake Of Intermittent Preventive Treatment Of Malaria In Pregnancy In Urban And Rural Public Primary Health Care Centres In Rivers State” was carried out by Alafaka Tobin, a Senior Registrar in the Department of Community Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital under our supervision. ………………………….. ………………..…… Dr. C. I. Tobin-West Dr. C. A. Onoka MD, MPH, FMCPH MBBS, DLSHTM, MPH, MSc, FWACP Senior Lecturer, Consultant Community Medicine Lecturer, Consultant Community Medicine Department of Community Medicine University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Nsukka, Enugu Port Harcourt, Rivers State …………………… Dr. K. E. Douglas Head of Department Community Medicine University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Port Harcourt Rivers State 3 DEDICATION This book is dedicated to my husband Mr. Derefaka Tobin whose words of encouragement motivated me to commence and complete this dissertation. 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I am very grateful to my supervisors, Dr. C.I. Tobin-West and Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Preventing Election Violence in Rivers State
    THE FUND FOR PEACE PARTNERSHIPS INITATIVE IN THE NIGER DELTA NIGER DELTA PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE Time is of the Essence: Preventing Election Violence in Rivers State Special Issue Briefing: August 2018 Rivers recorded the highest number of reported insecurity specific to each senatorial district going fatalities within the Niger Delta in 2015 and was into 2019. sustained in 2016, with fatalities in the state finally decreasing in 2017. Rise of Political Violence in Rivers Prior to the 2011 election cycle, Rivers had few As gubernatorial candidates vie for control of reports of political violence. The Peoples Rivers in 2019, ongoing grievances within each of Democratic Party (PDP) was the only viable the state’s three senatorial districts -- Rivers South political party then and political competition was -East, Rivers West, and Rivers East -- will likely fuel relatively low. In the intervening years leading up violence. The senatorial zoning system has to the 2015 elections, support for the All increased perceptions of group marginalization Progressives Congress (APC) emerged, and it within certain communities, which could be a key became a somewhat viable opposition to the PDP Rivers State, Nigeria driver of election violence. in the state. A spike in political and election- Politics in the Niger Delta has often been related violence during the 2015 elections was the This report examines the senatorial zoning system characterized as high stakes issue and contest outcome of this opposition. in Rivers and outlines the challenges and drivers of between personalities as much as it is between their platforms. Election cycles in Rivers State have recently been marred by violence, especially Political Violence in Rivers State during gubernatorial and local contests.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluation of Spatial Distribution of Public Secondary Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria
    Asian Research Journal of Arts & Social Sciences 8(4): 1-11, 2019; Article no.ARJASS.35801 ISSN: 2456-4761 Politics of School Mapping: Evaluation of Spatial Distribution of Public Secondary Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria Emmanuel C. Ibara1* 1Department of Educational Management, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, P.M.B. 5047, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Author’s contribution The sole author designed, analyzed and interpreted and prepared the manuscript. Article Information DOI: 10.9734/ARJASS/2019/v8i430111 Editor(s): (1) Dr. David Perez Jorge, Professor, Department of Teaching and Educational Research, University of La Laguna, Spain. Reviewers: (1) Almir Martins Vieira, Methodist University of São Paulo, Brazil. (2) Dr. H. L. Garbharran, Durban University of Technology, South Africa. (3) Kiongo Pius, Kenyatta University, Kenya. Complete Peer review History: http://www.sdiarticle3.com/review-history/35801 Received 28 October 2017 Accepted 19 January 2018 Original Research Article Published 02 April 2019 ABSTRACT School mapping in secondary education has witnessed a lot of distortion in Nigeria largely because the allocation of educational resources is embedded in politics of education. Consequently, the paper examined trends in the politics of school mapping and spatial distribution of secondary schools in Rivers state. Three research questions guided the study. The document analysis research method was utilized which involved extensive analysis of records and documents. Data collected were descriptively analysed. Findings revealed spatial imbalance in the distribution of public secondary schools, and neglect of population factor in siting secondary schools in Rivers State. Recommendations aimed at enhancing even distribution of public secondary schools were proffered. The paper concluded that school distribution system that ignores basic school mapping process could undermine the overall educational development in Rivers State.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Water Supply and Sanitation of Some Coastal Communities of the Niger Delta
    REVIEWED PAPER 33rd WEDC International Conference, Accra, Ghana, 2008 ACCESS TO SANITATION AND SAFE WATER: GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS AND LOCAL ACTIONS Assessment of water supply and sanitation of some coastal communities of the Niger Delta Peter Cookey, Nigeria, Kokpan Baribuma Agnes, Aguo Miriam Richard, Wenes Weridongha & John Prince Chukwuemeka A series of separate surveys were carried out on six coastal communities within a span of three years. The study focused on the assessment of water supply and sanitation facilities in the selected communities. Water samples were collected at various sources (boreholes, rivers, wells, streams and springs). Physico-chemi- cal and Microbiological characteristics of the various water samples from the study areas show that all the water sources in the study areas were not fit for human consumption or for any reasonable use. The quality of sanitation facilities in these communities were grossly inadequate. Therefore, there is a need to develop deliberate specific programmes that are fit for purpose to address the total lack of adequate water supply and sanitation in the coastal communities of the Niger Delta. The study makes recommendations for the development of a ‘Framework for Intervention Programmes on Water Supply and Sanitation for Coastal Communities in the region’. Introduction Most communities in the Niger Delta reside in the sea coasts, estuaries and mangrove swamps. “The Niger Delta covers an area of about 70,000 square kilometers and accounts for 7.5% of Nigeria’s land mass. It extends from Apoi to Bakassi and from Mashin creek to the Bight of Benin through a coastline of 560km, with an annual rainfall of 1500-4000mm” (Karibo, E.O.
    [Show full text]