Politics
We’ll Return Power To The People – Wike
Last week, Government House, witnessed a change
of baton in leadership as Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi’s administration came to a dramatic end with a special thanksgiving service at Corpus Christi Cathedral and birthday and valedictory broadcast to bid farewell to the State.
On Friday, the State witnessed a jubilatory inauguration as Barrister Nyesom Wike took over the mantle of leadership after Justice Kate Abiri, Chief Judge of Bayelsa State had sworn him in.
But before Wike’s inauguration, former Governor Amaechi had held a week-long activities. On Monday, he swore in 22 local government chairmen and later four Permanent Secretaries into the state civil service.
The new Permanent Secretaries include former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman in the state, Chief Chris Oruge, Stella Wigwe, Osumaebo Sam Dabere and Ngozi Abu. On Tuesday, a special talkshop was organised with the theme, “Deepening Democracy in Nigeria: The Implication for Africa”. The forum was chaired by former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) who was represented by Donald Duke, erstwhile governor of Cross River State.
Former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Robin Sanders spoke on the theme of the forum and sued for patience, reminding Nigerians that democracy was a process that needs to be nutured and encouraged. Therefore, she urged the citizenry to give support to the President Muhammdu Buhari led administration to succeed.
On Wednesday, former Governor Amechi and other bigwigs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) attended a special thankgiving service to mark the end of his administration at Corpus Christ Cathedal.
On the same Wednesday, the former governor’s 50th birthday was held at the banquet hall of Government House. Amaechi received accolades from dignitaries which included the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun, Chief Ebitimi Banigo and others.
Ameachi later held a valedictory session of the State Executive Council, after which the body was officially dissolved. From there, the former governor proceeded to address the state during which he listed his achievements’ and bade the State farewell.
On Friday, Chief Wike was ushered in as the new Chief Executive of Rivers State with a tumultuous celebration at Liberation Stadium filled to capacity.
After the administration of oath by the Bayelsa State Chief Judge, Barrister Wike addressed the citizenry and enumerated his policy directives. He announced the appointment of Justice Daisy Okocha as acting Chief Judge of the State and Justice Christy Gabriel Nwankwo as President, Customary Court of Appeal.
Governor Wike said the rule of law, separation of powers and welfare of the citizenry will be the tripod on which his government will stand.
“We shall return power to the people ….our government will be that of the people for the people and by the people,” he stressed.
The new governor further stated that infrastructure, agriculture, eco-tourism and job creation will be given top priority in his administration. He also disclosed plans to reticulate water in Khana, Gokana within the first 100 days in office.
Proceeding from the Stadium, Governor Wike flagged off “Operation No Pot Hole in Port Harcourt.” The exercise is expected to address the dilapidated road infrastructure in the city covering Diobu, old Township and other areas.
Kevin Nengia
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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