Politics
Rivers Workers Get N400m Xmas Bonus
Activities in Government House revolved around
political campaigns last week. Earlier in the week, the All Progressives Congress (APC) kicked-off its presidential campaigns in the South-South. Already, the campaign led by the presidential hopeful of the party, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) has covered the whole of the South-South and has entered into the South-East.
On Monday last week, Governor Chibuike Amaechi arrived the state with top APC chieftains. He informed news reporters on arriving Port Harcourt International Airport that all was set for the take-off of the campaigns slated for the 40,000 capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka-Stadium on Tuesday.
Before the commencement of the campaign on Tuesday, Gen Buhari and other top chieftains of the party led by Governor Chibuike Ameachi briefed the house on the campaign organogram and plans. Top on the list is Gen Buhari as chairman, the party’s vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as alternate chairman, while the National Party chairman, Chief Oyegun is to serve as the deputy chairman of the campaign. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was named the Vice Chairman. Some state governors were selected to be zonal cordinators.
At the campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Governor Amaechi informed the huge crowd that time has come for them to choose the right leaders. He berated the opposition for orchestrating violence on APC members from Khana and Akuku-Toru local government areas on their way to the stadium.
On his part, Gen Buhari assured of an equitable and peaceful country if voted into power on February 2015. He promised better economic policies and progammes that will move the country forward.
On Wednesday, the APC presidential campaign train went to Tai in Ogoni land where they were received by chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council, HRM G. N. Giniwa. Governor Amaechi who doubles as the Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation called on the Ogonis not to be intimidated by the use of military during the elections, but to come out and defend their votes.
On his part, Gen Buhari assured the Ogonis of his determination to fight corruption to a standstill if he wins the presidential elections.
But before the Wednesday’s visit to Tai, Buhari and other top members of the APC presidential campaign train paid a sympathy visit to party members who were attacked by hoodlums on Tuesday morning.
The victims were taken to the Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Port Harcourt where they were being treated of different degrees of gunshot wounds.
On Wednesday, last week, the State Government fulfilled its promise to victims of Mile Market fire disaster in 2013 and that of New Layout Market last year. Represented by Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Dickson Umunakwe, Governor Amaechi doled out the sum of N300 million to Mile I Market Traders and N50 million to New Market Traders.
Governor Amaechi charged the victims to set up a committee to ensure that the money gets to the right people and warned against short changing people.
On Thursday, Governor Amaechi was represented at the 2015 New Year Prayer and Dedication of the State Civil Service by the Head of Service, Mr. LongJohn. The governor had announced a Christmas gift of N400 million to the Civil Servants. Also, Chairman of the State Civil Service Committee, Sir Ngo Martins – Yellow used the occasion to charge civil servants for a more dedicated service, while disclosing the approval of nine new permanent secretaries in the service.
The APC Presidential Campaign train moved into the South-East as it berthed at Owam on Thursday and Aba on Friday. However, the campaign is expected to take a break on Sunday as Gen. Buhari and other APC chieftains moved to Enugu on Saturday to round off South East campaigns.
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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