Politics
APC’ll Not Allow PDP Truncate Democracy – Amaechi
Government House last week continued on election
campaign mood. On returning to the State on Monday, Governor Chibuike Amaechi commenced door-to-door campaign in the city of Port Harcourt
He had earlier told reporters at the airport on why the All Progressies Congress (APC) opted out of the presidential debate organized by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), saying that the party prefers a town hall meeting where the party’s presidential candidate can engage with the people face to face.
Asked what was his view on the planned postponement of the elections by INEC, Amaechi responded that it was not necessary since all the parties, including APC was already prepared. He wondered why the call for the shift of elections was coming at a time when the parties had spent billions campaigning.
Later on, the governor proceeded on a door-to-door campaigns in some parts of the city, starting from Mile 1 Market. Welcomed with a thunderous ovation by the traders, he urged them to go and pick their voters cards and vote for the party that will address their plight.
From Mile 1 Market, Governor Amaechi proceeded to D-Line Area where he met with party members and addressed them. He pointed out that the elections will serve as a referendum on the federal government for failing to site any project in the state. The governor added, “Anywhere I stand, I will show the president what I have done in Rivers State.”
On Tuesday, the governor led top members of the APC to a campaign rally at Emohua, headquarters of Emohua Local Government Area. At the rally, he warned Christian leaders not to commercialise the name of God.
According to him, “Nobody can Islamize Nigeria. I also warn to warm church leaders to stop commercializing the church of Christ; especially those men of God who collect money from the PDP to give false prophecy.”
The governor urged Ikwerre people to stand by the APC guber candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside whom he said will continue to sustain the good works the present administration has done in the state.
Campaign activities continued on Wednesday to Asari-Toru Local Government Area. The governor had earlier in the day swore-in nine new permanent secretaries with the charge on them to contribute to the state development.
At Buguma APC rally, Rt. Hon. Amaechi urged the people to vote for change, accusing the federal government of ceding oil wells from the area and abandoning the Kalabari Road to dilapidate.
Others who spoke at the campaign include Chief Tombari Giadom, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, and former Minister of Petroleum, Prof. Tam David-West. The former minister challenged the people of Asari-Toru to vote for a genuine Christian and somebody who will continue the success of Amaechi on infrastructural development.
On Friday, the governor participated in two rallies. First, he was at Degema Local government Area and later at Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Speaking at Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Amaechi said the APC would not tolerate any act of impunity and political propaganda by the PDP and security agents to truncate the forthcoming elections.
He said Nigerians were alert and watching for any breach of their rights, stressing that the people needed freedom and change from poor leadership by the PDP.
On Saturday, the governor was outside the state to attend the coronation of former CBN governor as Emir of Kano in Kano State.
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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