Politics
Lloyd: RVHA, Peterside Hail Judiciary
The Rivers State House of Assembly has commended the judiciary over the bail granted the leader of the House,Hon Chidi Lloyd as it urged judiciary to continue its support for the survival of democracy in the country.
?Reacting to the bail granted Hon. Lloyd,on behalf of the Assembly, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Leyii Kwanee said that by granting bail to the leader despite pressures from powerful interests, the judiciary has demonstrated their commitment ?to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.
?Kwanne appealed to the judiciary to resist any attempt by any one to influence them in any case that borders on the rule of law and the survival of democracy.
The Lawmaker who is also the Chairman, Parliamentary Exchange and Mentorship Programme of the Pan African Parliament, urged the judiciary to apply the spirit of the law and judicial activism in order to protect the country’s nascent democracy.
?Hon Kwanee frowned at the attitude of those he described as powers-that-be that are using every might at their disposal to deal with the Leader including the use of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),which was not relevant to the issue in order to achieve the conviction of the leader.
?He adviced politicians to play the game according to the rules and urged them to play their own part in order not to derail the country’s democracy.
?The Deputy Speaker further appealed to well meaning and non partisan Nigerians to wade into the Rivers crisis and reconcile all parties in the interest of the nation.
In his reaction, the member representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, hailed the decision.
?Hon. Peterside, who is also Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) said that the decision of the High Court was a clear testimony that the judiciary remains the last hope of every citizen in the land.
?”For me, the decision of the high court to grant bail to Hon. Chidi Lloyd has demonstrated that the judiciary will always stand up for the truth; it shows that despite pressures and blackmail from certain quarters, the judiciary in Rivers State is committed to upholding the hallowed principles of justice, equity and fairness,” the federal lawmaker stated.
?Continuing, Peterside congratulated Hon. Chidi Lloyd for the strength of character he exhibited even in the face of physical and psychological torture meted out on him while in the detention of the Nigerian Police.
?”It was obvious that even in the face of physical abuse aimed at breaking him; Hon. Lloyd showed unequalled strength of character. He did not allow his spirit to be broken; he denied them that psychological triumph they so much craved for. Indeed, Hon. Chidi Lloyd showed that he is a true defender of democracy,” Peterside opined.
?Hon. Peterside condemned the state of siege which Rivers State is being subjected to, calling on politicians to always weigh the consequences of whatever actions they take.
He expressed the conviction that the truth of what is playing out in Rivers State would surely come to light someday and the good people of Rivers State will eventually appreciate the personal sacrifices the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has made towards protecting the interest of Rivers people.
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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