Politics
Rivers Assembly And 2009 Legislative Session
The success story of the state lawmakers in 2009 would be incomplete if mention is not made of how they condemned the seizure of two Hilux cars by the Ahoada East Local Government, resulting in the subsequent release of the vehicles.
The enthronement of democratic governance in May 29,1999 after several years of military intervention in the nation’s political history indeed set the tone for Nigeria’s ship to sail the water of democracy. The inauguration of the National Assembly and the various states Houses of Assembly across the country signaled the dawn of democratic experience.
Apart from its statutory function of making laws for the overall development of the people, the legislature carry out oversight functions on the works of the executive arm of the government as well as promote effectiveness in the good governance of a state or nation.
Since the inception of the 4th Republic, both the State and National Assemblies have performed creditably with the duty of making laws for the betterment of society.
Here in Rivers State, there is a track of legislative success that has contributed to the development and growth of the state since 1999 till date. Suffice to say that, the present 6th Assembly in Rivers State has risen up to its constitutional challenges in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities.
The development and successes achieved by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi administration in the State can be attributed to the roburst performance of the state legislature within the year under review.
The Rivers State House of Assembly in 2009 passed over 15 laws, resolutions and motions that have impacted on the life of the people as well as assisted in the overall transformation of the state. Notable among such laws passed by the House in 2009 were the state Child Right Law, the Greater Port Harcourt City Law, the state Customary Court Amendment Law and the state Transport Regulatory Law. Others include the Amendment of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Law 2009, the state 2009 Appropriation Law, the state University of Education Law, and the state Public-Private Partnership Infrastructure Law.
In 2009, the House also took some resolutions that helped the government to shape its development in the state. The success story of the state lawmakers in 2009 would be incomplete if mention is not made of how they condemned the seizure of two Hilux cars by the Ahoada East Local Government resulting in the subsequent release of the vehicles.
The Rivers Assembly legislative support to Governor Amaechi administration aided the implementation of waterfronts demolition exercise and the proactive manner the government tackled the issue of militancy in the state.
The lawmakers oversight functions, no doubt, facilitate legislative breakthrough in the state. The various House Committees carried their duties to the letter as the lawmakers visited some project sites within their jurisdiction to ascertain and monitor the level of projects embarked upon by the respective ministries and parastatals. But the work of the state House of Assembly however brought tears to two local governments. The lawmakers suspended two council chairmen and subsequently dissolved one of the LG councils for misappropriation of funds allocated to the councils.
Speaking on the performance of the House last year, the House Committee Chairman on Information and Training, Hon Onari Brown stated that the lawmakers fared very well in the discharged of their duties during the period under review, maintaining that it was a fruitful session.
According to the lawmaker, there was absolute peace, integration, unity and love in the House during the year, attributing such success to House leadership led by Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry.
He urged the people of the state not to renege in their support to the present administration in the state led by Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi, assuring that the state legislature would continue to carry out its statutory responsibilities at all times.
Akujobi Amadi
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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