Politics
PDP Ends Impunity, Candidates’ Imposition
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus says the era of impunity and imposition of candidates in the party has ended.
Secondus said this in Udi, Enugu State last Saturday during a rally organised by members of the party in Enugu West Senatorial Zone of the state.
The chairman, who was represented by the Deputy National Chairman, North, Sen. Babaya Garba said that the party was determined and poised to reenact its glorious days.
He said that aspirants in the party would henceforth be provided the level playing ground to thrive.
Secondus said that feelers across the country showed that Nigerians needed the party back to power, adding that their performances during their time were outstanding.
He, however, said that for the party to thrive, it needed to show character and good leadership in the states under its control as was witnessed in Enugu State.
“We are determined to reenact the glorious days and achieve greater heights. To achieve this, we need to provide level playing ground for aspirants.
“There will no longer be impunity and imposition of candidates in our party,” he said.
Secondus said that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party was happy with the quality of leadership shown by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
“Enugu State deserves to be emulated because there is absolute peace here. We are happy with the unity between the two leaders of our party in the state: Ugwuanyi and Sen. Ike Ekweremadu.
“The NWC of the party is proud of you,” Secondus said.
In his speech, the Deputy Senate President, Dr Ike Ekweremadu, said that the leadership style of the governor had ushered permanent peace in the state.
Ekweremadu said that the PDP in the state had its fair share of crisis and trying moments which threatened to sink the party.
He mentioned 1998, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008 as the years the party in the state had its greatest challenges as its chieftains were engaged in supremacy battle.
He said that this was the first time the party in the state had peace at the eve of an election year.
“I have been involved in politics of the state since 1998 and there have always been problems.
“In 2002 we had a crisis that almost consumed everybody while 2006 was crisis of succession.
“In 2008 and 2014, the state was divided between Abuja politicians and their home based counterparts but we survived it.
“Today, we have a governor that has brought permanent peace and that is why we are celebrating,” he said.
The deputy senate president said that the state was one of the best places to live in the country due to the prevailing security and peace.
Ekweremadu said that residents of the state would show their gratitude to the governor in the coming general election.
Responding, Ugwuanyi said that he was overwhelmed by the outpour of emotions and eloquent testimonies about his administration.
The governor commended members of the party from the zone for their show of love and support.
He assured them of continued provision of good and quality leadership as well as lead with the fear of God.
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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