Politics
RSG To Immortalise Gowon
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, returned to the
state on Tuesday and embarked on project inspection around Port Harcourt and environs. The inspection took him to the old Port Harcourt Township, and Abonnema Wharf Junction.
Wike assured that the state was on the path of rejuvenation following on-going massive infrastructural overhaul. He said his administration policies and programmes are focused on the people with the aim to make them have faith in the new Rivers Vision.
The governor reiterated that the era of abandoned projects was gone as he will complete all inherited projects and those started by his administration.
According to him, the engagement of multinational construction firms to handle the projects is an indication of his administration’s resolve to manage resources prudently and to leave a better legacy.
He lauded the people for their support, especially in those areas where construction works are ongoing “I urge our people to keep the spirit as we strive to revive the state,” he said.
The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) visited Governor Wike on Wednesday in Government House, Alhaji Abdulkadiri Abdulsalam during the visit praised the governor for his pragmatic steps in leadership. Alhaji Abdulsalam commended the governor for the peace that reigns in the state by making sure all ethnic groups doing business in the state are protected.
On his part, Governor Wike thanked the National Chairman of Labour Party for the visit. He explained that his administration is poised to carry all the parties along in the scheme of things, hence the deadlinedecision to incorporate members of other political parties in the administration and running of local government council. He also assured the LP boss that Rivers State Government will not slash workers salaries even with the economic challenges.
On Thursday the governor embarked on another round of project inspection and commended the spate of work on the Peter Odili/Woji/Akpajo Link Road. From 45 percent completion when he assumed office in May, the governor revealed that the project is now 70% completed since he released funds to the contractors considering the importance of the road to the state.
He told reporters after inspecting phase I and phase II of the road which links East-West Road, that a toll gate will be built along the stretch with a car park. The road is expected to open by end of December at the Woji to Odili Road axis.
Before the project inspection on Thursday, Governor Wike had played host to the State Coordinator of the National Identity Cards Management Commission, Mrs Olubunmi Soyode. Wike underscored the importance of a comprehensive identity registration, which according to him is crucial for economic data and voters’ statistics.
The Rivers State governor pledged to assist the commission to achieve its goal following requests made by Mrs Soyode for assistance in the area of logistics and other facilities to aid the agency
On Friday, the governor played host to stakeholders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state. The meeting held after the massive peace rally tagged “White Friday” which affirmed the governor’s disposition to make the state peaceful for investors and residents.
On Saturday, Governor Wike played host to former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon. The ex-Head of State was in the state to attend the South South Convention of the “Nigeria Prays,” a non-denominational body founded by him to pray for unity and stability of the nation.
Wike assured the Ex-Head of Sate that he will be immortalized, regretting that despite creating Rivers State during his tenure nothing has been used to remember him.
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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