Politics
PDP, APC Candidates Shun Guber Debate In Rivers
The two main governor
ship candidates in Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Dr Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Hon Dakuku Peterside, last Saturday failed to appear for debate put together by the Advocacy for Violence-Free Election and Good Governance
The debate titled ‘’Rivers Decide” was aimed at giving all the candidates the opportunity to present their ideas on how to govern Rivers State and as well create opportunity for Rivers people to hear their plans on the various issues and sectors that affect the state.
Our correspondent reports that no reason was given for their absence at the debate, either by the organizer or the two leading candidates and their parties, even though the organizers confimed that the two candidates were reached.
However , the Labour Party candidate, Prince Tonye Princewill and his counterparts in the All Progressives Grand Allaince, Alalibo Charles Harry; the United Progressive party, Deacon Akuro Parker; the National Conscience Party(NCP), Mrs Tapiko Annetessie, and Rev Ibinami Harry of the Social Democratic Party attended the debate.
During the debate, the five candidates pledged to improve on the living condition of the people by eradicating poverty in the state.
Princewill said he has one point agenda for the people which is to create jobs for the increasing youths.
Princewill said he was able to employ a number of youths as a business man, adding that if given the opportunity, he would collaborate and involve the private sectors in job creation.
The United Progresssive Party candidate, Deacon Parker promised that his government, if voted into power, would embark on intensive re-orientation campaign for revolutionary attitude change and socio-economic transformation.
He said his government would embark on what he described as community focused sustainable development, for employment generation wealth creation and reduction of poverty.
The Social Democratic Candidate, Rev Harry in his own contribution, said he would embark on decentralized policy by creating and developing six more cities with intention decongest the city of Port Harcourt.
Mrs Tapiko Annetesie promised to revolutionalise agriculture and tourism to create more internal generated revenue for the state, saying she, would make Ayarokoto a tourist site which would attract more visitors and tourists to the area.
Wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan (3rd right), President Goodluck Jonathan (left), his Vice, Namadi Sambo (2nd left), National Chairman PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’Azu (right) during presidential campaign at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Chris Monyanaga
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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