Politics
Lawmakers Return, Condemn State Of Federal Infrastructure
The poor state of federal infrastructure dominated debate in the State House of Assembly during the week under review. Shortly after welcoming the legislators back from their one-month recess, the Speaker, Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani commended the legislators for responding to the call to service after a long rest.
He said, “we are in the 3rd session of the 8th Assembly. We started well and we will continue to move good motions and make laws that will serve the interest of our state”.
Rt Hon. Ibani underscored the need for effective representation, assuring that, “we will continue to support the state government to ensure our people enjoy the dividends of democracy”.
A motion moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Martins Amaewhule sparked off series of supporting motions from both the ruling party and those in the opposition.
Hon. Amaewhule commenced his motion thus: “Mr Speaker and my distinguished colleagues, it’s with a heavy heart that I bring this motion to condemn the deliberate neglect of federal roads in Rivers State by the Federal Government of Nigeria to your notice”.
The majority leader while drawing the attention of the lawmakers to the deplorable state of most federal roads in the state described the situation as “deliberate neglect” of a major oil revenue earning state.
The motions that trailed Amaewhule’s speech not only pushed for equitable attention and action from the federal government, but the lawmakers also called on the federal authorities to refund the state monies already expended in maintaining and constructing federal roads since the erstwhile administration totalling about N106 billion, according to member representing Eleme Constituency, Hon. Josiah John Olu.
Hon. Olu averred that, “the prayer should be to the federal government to reimburse the state on funds spent on maintaining federal roads”.
The supporting motion drew more support from member representing Bonny Constituency, Hon. Abinye Pepple, Michael Chinda, representing Obio/Akpor II, Tekene Granville representing Asari-Toru I, among others.
Shorty after the motion and approval of a petition to the National Assembly on the state of federal roads, the House quickly commenced screening of caretaker committee members of Degema Local Government Area.
Though Majority Leader, Hon. Amaewhule had introduced the matter for onward admittance of the CTC nominees onto the floor of the House, member representing Degema State Constituency, Hon Farah Dagogo commended the state governor for selecting what he described as committed and experienced hands to oversee the affairs of Degema Local Government Area.
Hon. Dagogo urged member to approve the nominees based on their recognition and experience and assured that they (nominees) will give in their best in the service of their area.
The prayer sought by Hon. Farah Dagogo was supported by Hon. Pepple and Hon. Olu and was generally endorsed by other members.
Speaker of the House urged the Clerk to convey their approval to the governor. He had earlier concluded the first reading of the bill seeking to amend the Kenule Saro Wiwa Polytechnic law. The bill awaits second reading when next the House sits.
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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