Politics
Wike Tasks RSIEC On Credible Polls
Activities in Government House last week continued
on a sound note. Governor Nyesom Wike was in Abuja to attend the meeting of the Committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari over payment of salaries by some state governors.
The President had on Wednesday announced a financial bail out to help states pay their workers backlog of salaries. The money was sourced from the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Company (NLNG) dividends and taxes to the Federation Account totaling over N700 billion.
Governor Wike had at a radio programme “Viewpoint” revealed that the state got about N2 billion from the bailout.
On Thursday, the state was thrown into jubilations following the judgement of the Federal High Court nullifying the elections of the 22 Council Chairmen whose elections was conducted in controversial circumstances on May 23rd.
Presiding Judge, Akanbi described the elections as null and void since it failed to abide by an earlier court ruling that the elections should not hold. However, at Abuja, the rivers Election Tribunal had ruled on the issue of jurisdiction before going into the substantive matter regarding inspection of election materials.
Meanwhile, the KOWA party announced its withdrawal of the petition filed by one Stanley Nkemka Elenwo. The gubernatorial candidate announced his withdrawal from the suit against Gov. Wike.
On the same Thursday, Special Adviser to Rivers State governor on Media and Publicity, Sir, Opunabo Inko-Tariah played host to RATTAWU (Radio Television and Theatre Workers Union), led by its chairperson, Comrade Opi Erekosima. He assured them of government support and address to their welfare.
Shortly after the court ruling on the 22 local government chairmen, Governor Wike in an attempt not to create vacuum at the grassroots sworn-in 22 Caretaker Committee Chairmen (CTC) on Thursday evening. He charged them to domicile in their area and support in the fight against crime by ensuring peace in their domain.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Chief of Staff Government House, Engr. Emeka Woke had met with staffers in Government House. Engr. Woke charged workers in Government House to be hardworking, while assuring them of better welfare as part of the new Rivers Vision.
On Friday, Governor Wike swore-in five new Commissioners. They include the Judicial Service Commission, Rivers State Independent Electoral commission (RSIEC), Rivers State House of Assembly Commission, Civil Service Commission and Local Government Service Commission.
While inaugurating the Judicial Service Commission, Governor Wike urged them to ensure that problems bedraggling the commission was laid to rest. The governor also charged the new RSIEC to start preparing ahead for the local government elections. “Let Nigerians know that there are those that can conduct a free and fair elections.”
Responding on behalf of the Judicial Service Commission, Acting Chief Judge, Justice Daisy Okocha thanked the governor for reconstituting the commission and assured to put things right by leaving a legacy.
The governor on Saturday appeared on Rhythm’s Viewpoint programme where he explained some of the policies and programmes of his administration saying “I want Rivers State to have the best.”
From there he proceeded to Onne Oil/Gas Free Zone where he inspected activities at the wharf. He promised to assist Federal Government in rehabilitating East/West Road to ease business activities in the area.
Also within the Week, Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo represented the governor, when Zenith Bank and FCMB advocated for more jobs for 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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