Politics
Rivers Panel Of Inquiry Begins Work May 2
Sequel to the outcome of the governorship and House
of Assembly elections last week, government did not experience any setback as Governor Chibuike Amaechi inaugurated a panel of Inquiry into Political Violence that took place in the state in the past few months.
The panel of inquiry has nine members and is chaired by Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, while Sir Samuel Egbe is to serve as Secretary.
While inaugurating the panel, Rt. Hon. Amaechi said the body is expected to investigate, study and make recommendations on causes and effects of the violence which rocked the state, with a view to punishing offenders in order to deter such occurrence in the future.
“The reason why this happens in this era is because of impunity and I believe as a governor that, if you don’t punish those who break the law, then human beings will no longer be protected. People were not allowed to carry out their responsibilities just because people will shoot them,” the governor stated.
He maintained that it was the responsibility of government to account for those that died and how many lives were lost in the violence witnessed in the state.
Amaechi used the inauguration to recall the incident at Okrika where the All Progressives Congress (APC) guber candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and party members were targets of attacks during the campaigns.
Aside the incident at Okrika, the governor also decried the killings in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, where over 11 persons were reported dead due to political motivated killings.
On his part, Chairman of the panel, Prof. Odinkalu, assured that the body would carry out its functions without any political bias, noting that the inquiry is not a witch-hunt against perceived opponents of governor.
Prof. Odinkalu hinted that public hearing would commence on 2nd May and called on all aggrieved parties to attend.
On Tuesday, last week, a group of foreign observers at the Rivers State governorship and Assembly polls, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) discredited the Rivers State elections, claiming that they were riddled with violence, intimidation and harassment of voters.
YIAGA further claimed that the violence was perpetrated by political thugs and in some cases, party agents. The body therefore called for the cancellation and rescheduling of the elections by the electoral body.
On Wednesday, last week, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rives State, made a press statement, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to heed the call made by Independent Election Observer and cancel the state Governorship and Assembly elections.
According to the statement, the African Centre for Leadership Strategies and Development led by one Humphrey Bekaren reported that, “what we saw did not meet international standard of electioneering, not even the ones set by the Electoral Commission (INEC).”
The party through its State Public Secretary, Mr. Chris Finebone, maintained that it will be unfair to overlook these weighty allegations, and called for fresh elections in the state.
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.
-
News1 day agoRSG Targets Nine Million Residents in Mosquito Net Distribution Campaign
-
Oil & Energy1 day agoAiyedatiwa Signs New Electricity Bill
-
Oil & Energy1 day agoNLNG Commissions Research And Innovation Centre In RSU
-
Maritime1 day agoMarine Minister Commends President Tinubu On NPERA Bill Assent
-
News1 day agoKenPoly Holds Eight Convocations, August 29
-
News1 day agoRSG Begins Another Phase of Projects Commissioning Today
-
News1 day agoRMAFC Completes Revenue Sharing Review, Proposes New Pay
-
Maritime1 day agoNAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Maritime Police Harassment