Politics
Amaechi Promises N5bn Support To Rivers People
Following a disparaging statement by Presidnet Goodluck
Jonathan’s Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe on the person of Governor Chibuike Amaechi last week, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, David Iyofor has described Okupe as President Jonathan’s worst enemy.
In a press statement he issued on Sunday last week, Iyofor urged President Jonathan to get rid of Okupe and other of his aides who resort to name calling than addressing public issues.
The president’s aide, the statement noted, was descending low to “become the Chief Advocate and Defender-In-Chief of the commissioner of police, Rivers State, Mbu . J. Mbu.”
Okupe had attributed the heightened call for Mbu’s redeployment to political machinations by the state governor. But Iyofor replied that “it is certainly rude, uncharitable, il-mannered and hypocritical for Okupe to falsely and superciliously allege that Amaechi is a willing tool to any person or group against President Jonathan.
Returning from Abuja on Monday, Governor Chibuike Amaechi commissioned the Eleme Regional Water Scheme, jointly built by the Rivers State Government. While expressing appreciation for the role Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited played in providing potable wate to the people of Eleme and environs he urged the people to guard against vandalisation of the facility.
Amaechi however, harped on the need for sustenance of the water scheme through the setting up of a Water Development Authority in Eleme. But commissioners for Water Resources/Rural Development, Ms Patricia Simon-Hart noted that a Water Consumer Association has been established in each of the clans to oversee the management of the scheme.
Early on Tuesday, Governor Amaechi swore-in a new Acting Chief Judge of the State in the person of Justice Peter Agumagu. Until his appointment, Justice Agumagu was the President of the State Customary Court of Appeal.
Amaechi later said, “We looked at the constitution and the constitution says the most senior Judge of the High Court and we looked at your appointment and compared it to the rest of the judges in the State and realised that you are the most senior judge in the State.”
On the same day, he processed to unveil the 2013 “Job Fair,” jointly organized by the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) and the Ministry of Employment Generation.
The governor tasked the youths to be innovative as a way of engaging themselves… “If you continue to wait for the job fair to be organised annually for you to get employment, you may end up dying of hunger and poverty. You must therefore be creative.”
He promised to release N5billion to provide financial support to people who are ready to be self-reliant and innovative to borrow at subsidized low cost to set up their own business.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wogu Boms shortly after a meeting with Niger Delta Bishops Forum addressed press men over reactions trailing the appointments of Acting Chief Judge of the State.
He said, “Justice PNC Agumagu, the Acting Chief Judge is the oldest judge (in terms of service) now in Rivers State. There is no judge older in appointment than he is and Justice Agumagu was appointed a High Court Judge. He was never appointed a Customary Court of Appeal Judge.”
Boms went on to explain that there was nothing illegal or unconstitutional about Agumagu’s appointment, adding that, “you are aware that there was a recommendation by the National Judicial Commission as to who would be Chief Judge. The State government is processing that and we sent it to parliament which is the next step, so before that is done we appointed the Most Senior Judge as Acting Chief Judge.”
On Friday, State Governor addressed protesting nurses from the school of Nursing and school of Midwifery through Commissioner of Health, Dr Sampson Parker over kidnap of their teacher, Mrs Beauty Frank Daminabo. They called on the government to intensify efforts to free her. They lamented that the development has affected academic activities.
Chief of Staff Government House, Sir Tony Okocha on Saturday commended the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor and his wife over the free medical scheme, and pledged government support.
Politics
INEC Extends Candidate Submission Deadline Till ‘Morow
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.
Politics
2027: INEC Extends Submission Deadline For Assembly, Guber Candidates
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.
Politics
Yilwatda’s Birthday Outreach Demonstrates Leadership – Kefas
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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