Politics
Black Soot: Wike Identifies Cause
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has faulted the approach of security agencies in destroying illegal refineries, noting that the method they apply results in escalating the black soot rain, constituting health hazards and destroying the environment.
The governor stated this Friday during a special appearance on Channels Television Live interview programme at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Wike said report by the technical committee set up by the state government to investigate the black soot problem indicated that the development was largely a product of the unwholesome destruction of illegal refineries by security agencies.
The governor who regretted that it is not within the purview of state government to control the security agencies, revealed that state authorities had formally approached the Federal Government to help resolve the challenges, without any assistance from that quarter.
Wike said: “We have prioritised this issue, but we cannot stop the security agencies. There must be a refined way of stopping the oil criminals, without damaging the environment.
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose has likened Wike to the Biblical Daniel.
Governor Fayose stated this while commissioning some key road projects executed by Wike in Trans-Amadi, an economic zone in the state.
The Ekiti State Governor said: “Commissioning has become an attitude for Governor Wike. Everyday, there is a road project. I commend him for transforming the state”.
The projects that were commissioned were the reconstructed High Street, rehabilitated Prof Okujagu Street and Danjuma Drive off Peter Odili Road.
Wike said he would remain focused in transforming the state because of the passion he has for the state.
The Rivers State Governor who also flagged off the Isiodu Road in Emohua Local Government Area last Saturday announced that he would sign the state Neighbourhood Watch Bill into Law this week.
He said the bill was aimed at boosting security by providing intelligence and needed information to security agencies in Rivers State.
Wike said that, when it becomes operational, the Neighbourhood Watch Initiative will also create employment opportunities for youths in the state.
Another event that dominated activities last week in Government House was the 2018 International Women’s Day celebration.
The event which took off last Sunday with Special Church Service came to a climax on 8th March as thousands of Rivers women from all parts of the state converged at Alfred Diete-Spiff (Civic Centre) Complex.
While delivering the keynote address, wife of Rivers State Governor, Hon Justice Suzzette Nyesom-Wike called for economic empowerment of women at all levels.
She also called on parents to give equal opportunities to male and female children to enable the girl child strive to her highest possible level of development.
In his speech, Governor Wike promised to fulfill all promises made by his administration to Rivers women.
Wike who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani, commended Rivers women for their strong support to his government and urged them to sustain the tempo.
Another event was the flag-off of the Egbelu Road in Rumuodara, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area last Thursday.
At the event, the Governor stated that though he was not aware of the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Rivers State as Federal Government was yet to inform him, Buharis visit he said, cannot revive APC in the state.
“Maybe the President is coming to make sure that he will improve the fortunes of the APC that is dead in Rivers State.
“Apart from Jesus Christ, we don’t know of anyone who had risen a dead thing. APC is a dead party in Rivers State. No matter how you fast and pray, it will never wake up”, the Governor said.
Chris Oluoh
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.