Politics
Oil Theft Worries Governors
Early last week there was a joyous move in Govern
ment House following the release of Archbishop of Province of Niger Delta Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey, who spent eight days in the hands of his abductors.
Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Magnus Ngei Abe was among the first dignitaries that paid courtesy visit to Rev. Kattey at his country home in Eleme, Eleme Local Government Area.
While calling on Nigerians to join hands with security operatives to arrest the kidnappers of the Anglican Cleric, Abe said anybody involved in the criminal act should be tracked done to prevent future occurence.
On Monday, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru issued a press statement over an alleged report that he had dumped Governor Amaechi.
In a statement signed by Ikuru’s press secretary, Godswill Jumbo, the deputy governor described the statement as malicious and interested to sow seed of discord between him (Ikuru) and Governor Amaechi.
Engr Ikuru while condemning such unethical journalism called on Rivers people to disregard the report saying, “it would be historically and eternally ignominious and disgraceful posterity-wise for anyone to abandon their leader in the middle of the road”.
While away in Abuja, Governor Amaechi convened a meeting of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) on Tuesday, after the meeting on Wednesday morning, the Rivers State governor told newsmen that the body was worried over the rising oil theft, and dwindling economy, the body therefore, called for the resignation of the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala.
Governor Amaechi returned to Rivers State on Thursday and immediately declared open the Rotary District 9140 Youth Leadership Programme held at the campus of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST).
He charged the youths to be good ambassadors of the country by holding their leaders accountable.
Amaechi also used the occasion to comment on national issues as he deplored the poor management of the economy and the increasing poverty rate in Nigeria.
District Governor of Rotary 9140 International, Dr Charles Omianwan, said the programme was targeted at young people in universities and secondary schools in the South-South and South-East regions of Nigeria.
Before conducting members of the Rotary Youths Leadership programme on excursion to government projects on Friday, Governor Amaechi played host to organizers of the Port Harcourt Fashion show on Thursday night. He also attended an all-night vigil where he rededicated the state to God.
Police on Friday attempted to bar Rotary Youths from participating in an excursion to projects executed by Rt. Hon. Amaechi. The youths numbering about 600 were later permitted after explanations by Rotary top hierarchy in the state that the programme was not a political campaign.
After a tour of four star projects comprising of the Elekahia Model Primary School, Ambassador –Ine Kurubo Model Secondary School Eleme , Afam Gas Turbine and Songhai Farm at Bumu-Tai, District Governors of Rotary 9140, Dr Omianwan said, “the facilities on ground are something one cannot comprehend. It’s very fantastic effort from the government of Rivers State”.
On Friday night, Rivers State Governor attended the opening programme of the Port Harcourt fashion show. On Saturday he equally participated in a media programme hosted by Channels Television in Port Harcourt.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.
“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.
In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.
The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.
The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.
It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.
INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.
Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.
The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.
“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.
He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.
He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.
According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.
Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.
He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.
“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.
“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.
According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.
He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.
Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.
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