Politics
Wike Harps On Service
Public condemnation of action of Operatives of the
Directorate of State Security Services (DSS) spilled into last week. Governor Nyesom Wike who was manhandled by men of the DSS for stopping them from arresting a judge Friday night also drew public outcry.
Chief Wike had told the people of the State that he would defend the integrity of Rivers State with the last drop of his blood. Addressing players of Rivers United Football Club, the governor stated that the DSS’s blackmail will not lessen the crime they have committed against the Nigerian State by assaulting the judiciary.
First Lady of Rivers State, justice Eberechi Suzette Wike opened last week with a Centenary Church Thanksiging of St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Rumuomasi Deanery. Representing her husband at the occasion, she underscored the need to train children for leadership. We must encourage children to get involved in the process of leadership. When children are groomed early, they will perfect the art of leadership and contribute to the development of the society,” she said.
Last Monday, Governor Chief Nyesom Wike swore-in 20 local government Care Taker Committee Chairmen in the Executive Chambers of the Government House. The governor said his administration will monitor the pattern of expenditure of the local councils to ensure funds are deployed to areas that will promote the interest of the people.
He noted that the Caretaker Committee Chairmen must get approval before they access their security votes.
In a press statement on Monday, the deputy governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo canvassed for support and development of the “Girl Child”. She stressed the need for the introduction of a speedy process of achieving justice in cases such as rape, early child marriage, and female genital mutilation among other forms of abuses perpetrated against women and children.
Wife of Rivers State Governor had last Tuesday declared open, the 2016 Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Rivers State, Chapter. She noted that the state gives priority attention to the health of the masses.
She urged the people of the state to adopt healthy lifestyles which will promote their physical and mental wellbeing.
On the same day a statement from the aide to the governor on Electronic Media picked holes from reports credited to Sahara Reporters over the electoral victory of the governor at the Supreme Court. The justice or justices to validate his election. The governor has always had confidence in the judiciary to uphold the tenets of the law”.
Last Wednesday, wife of the governor marked the day for the “Girl Child, as part of International Day for the Girl Child” at the Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls Secondary School, Elelenwo. The celebrations started with a visit to the paramount Ruler of Elelenwo Nyeweli Sunny Chukwu. The first lady used the visit to advocate for the fight against harmful practices such as early marriage against girls.
Accompanied by the deputy governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, Justice Wike proceeded to Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls Secondary School, where she delivered a lecture. She advised upcoming girls to choose their role models amongst successful women, so that they can be motivated to aim higher.
Last Friday, Governor Nyesom Wike represented by the Secretary to the State government, Sir Kenneth Kobani, declared three day retreat for the State lawmakers at Uyo Akwa-Ibom State open. He harped on development oriented lawmaking and the need to manage state resources in recession period.
First lady of Rivers State, justice Nyesom-Wike, last Saturday, lauded former Chief Judge, retired Justice Daisy Okocha for her contributions toward the development of golf sports. Justice Okocha had her name to one of the holes (Hole 12) in Port Harcourt Golf Club.
The Commission disclosed the figure in its weekly update for week 14 of the second phase of the exercise, which ended on Friday, April 17, 2026.
According to the breakdown, 2,259,288 Nigerians completed their registration through the online pre-registration portal, while 1,489,416 finalized their registration physically at designated centres nationwide.
INEC noted that the figures remain preliminary and are subject to further verification and data cleaning processes to ensure accuracy ahead of the consolidation of the national voter register.
With the conclusion of the registration phase, the Commission has now shifted focus to the display of the Register of Voters for Claims and Objections, a statutory stage aimed at strengthening the credibility and integrity of the voters register.
The display exercise is scheduled to hold from April 29 to May 5, 2026, across designated centres nationwide, providing citizens the opportunity to verify their details and raise objections where necessary.
The Commission urged all registered voters from the concluded phase to take advantage of the exercise to confirm the accuracy of their information and assist in identifying ineligible entries, including duplicate registrations, deceased persons, and non-citizens.
INEC explained that the Continuous Voter Registration exercise is being conducted in phases, with the first phase running from August 18 to December 10, 2025, while the second phase commenced on January 5, 2026 and ended on April 17, 2026.
The Commission further stated that the date for the commencement of the third phase will be announced in due course.
Reaffirming its commitment to credible elections, INEC stressed that maintaining a clean and accurate voter register remains central to ensuring free, fair, and transparent electoral processes in Nigeria.
The Executive Director of IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade, informed the journalists that the dialogue was sponsored by the European Union, under the auspices of the EU-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II), Component 4: Support to Media.
According to the veteran media practitioner, the programme is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the media to promote credible elections through factual, accurate and fair reporting.
He explained that the programme is part of a broader five-year intervention designed to support democratic governance and improve the role of the media in Nigeria’s electoral process, stressing that fact-checking and inclusive reporting are critical responsibilities for journalists, especially during electioneering.
He described the media as a central role agent with regard to upholding transparency and accountability in the democratic process.
A resource person and Director of Journalism Clinic, Lagos, Mr Taiwo Obe, enjoined journalists to embrace the evolving technology so that they would not be in the backwaters in the practice of the profession.
He advised journalists not to downplay Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their bid to remain relevant in the media environment by being abreast of the changing patterns of news consumption.
The journalism teacher explained that with digital transformation of the media industry, it had become imperative for journalists to constantly upgrade and update their skills, stressing the fundamental place of attitude and self-development and underscored the dynamic nature of media consumption in the digital age, thereby compelling journalists to embrace tools and platforms, but without much reliance on AI.
In his lecture, a Professor of Mass Communication at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Adebola Aderibigbe, advised journalists in Ekiti State to ensure that coverage of the upcoming governorship poll is issue-based rather than dwelling on personalities.
He added that sensationalism should not occupy the front-burner of any discussions concerning the 2026 election, admonishing that sustenance of democracy is anchored on responsible journalism.
”Journalists must prioritise accuracy, fairness and balance in their reports by verifying facts and giving all parties involved in political matters the opportunity to present their views”, he said.
According to the university don, the election will not be defined by personalities, but by issues. ”Let issues be the pivotal ring upon which every discussion should be made. Sensationalisation of issues should not be the bedrock of discussions in the 2026 election”, he added.
“Do not hear from Party A without hearing from Party B, otherwise the report will be skewed to one side and once issues of elections are skewed, problems will naturally arise”, he stressed.