Politics
Wike Tasks Media On Rule Of Law
Activities in Government House, last week, began in a sad note following the revelation by the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, that there is a plot by the Federal Government and her agents to frame him up.
Wike who raised this frightening alarm last Monday, alleged that Federal Government plans to plant illegal items on him in any of his trips outside the shores of Nigerian and have him embarrassed by foreign security agents.
” They plan to organise security to storm the hotel I am staying and say they found XYZ cash in my possession after which they would say I was arrested for currency trafficking or whatever offences outside the country”, he said.
Wike explained that the plan is similar to what was done to Late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
The Governor said that though he is not scared by the plot but wished to alert the nation and the world of the sinister machinations of the federal government.
Last Tuesday, Wike inaugurated the Rivers State Honours Advisory Committee. The committee is to nominate deserving men and women who have, through their contributions, made the state proud.
Chief Ferdy Anabraba is Chairman of the committee while Sir Chidi Adele is the Secretary.
Other members of the committee are Chief Onueze Okocha, Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Ordu, Dr Abiye Sekibo , Dr Peter Medee, and Dr Ikechi Nwogu.
The Governor charged the committee to consider men and women, indigenes and non indigenes who have contributed immensely to the development of the state in various professions.
He noted that the award would be an annual event, stressing that the gesture would encourage people to project the state in enviable light through their talents.
The committee chairman thanked the Governor for the confidence reposed in members and assured him that they would put in their best to deliver good result.
Another major event in Brick House was the visit last Tuesday by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
He regretted a situation where Nigeria answers Big Brother Africa but unable to uphold the rule of law, conduct credible election and institute basic governance process.
He emphasised that every profession has the responsibility to play a role in the development of the country.
The President of the body, Alhaji Muhammadu Zakari commended the Governor for rolling out projects that have stimulated the economy of the state.
He said ICAN is desirous of partnering the state on issues that concern the organisation’s core values and urged the Governor to promote ICAN’s Accountability Index among political leaders in the country
Wike also met with the United State Consul- General in Nigeria, Mr F John Bvay, in Government House, Port Harcourt last Tuesday.
He called on America to partner with Rivers State Government to develop the agric sector and pointed out that such initiative would enhance employment opportunities.
He said Rivers State Government has developed flexible land allocation scheme to agriculture investors.
The Governor also addressed the 2018 Annual Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) section on Legal Practice Conference in PortHarcourt.
He charged legal practitioners in the country to rise up and insist on the relevance of the amended Electoral Act 2010.
Similarly, the Governor called on media practitioners to rise up and defend Nigerians who are suffering untold hardship under the failed APC -led Federal Government.
He made the call when the management of the International Press Institute paid him courtesy visit in Government House.
He regretted that the media was focusing on the rich and abandoning the poor, adding that they should insist on the rule of law.
At a Solidarity Rally organised last Saturday by Rivers South East Senatorial District in Bori, Wike was endorsed for a second term in office because of the numerous developmental projects in the area and appointments to sons and daughters of the district.
Chris Oluoh
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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