Politics
Okowa Hails Wike On Projects
Announcement by the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike that the State government will locate a campus of the state university in Ekpeye Kingdom topped activities in Government House last week.
The Governor who announced this last Wednesday when people of the Ekpeye ethnic nationality paid a solidarity visit to him in Government House, Port Harcourt
The Governor said Chairman, Governing Council , and Vice Chancellor of the university have been given directive to that effect.
Wike further promised that the state government was prepared to grant more amnesty to ensure peace in the area
He upgraded two traditional stools – Eze Igbu Ubie , and Eze Igbu Akoh to first class stools and assured completion of all ongoing projects in the ethnic nation.
Ekpeye people, at the visit endorsed Governor Wike for a second term in office because of numerous quality projects and appointments given to people of the area.
President General , Uzugbani Ekpeye, Prof Dulu Appah, who spoke on behalf of the people, said, “ this is the first time in the history of Rivers State that projects and appointments were evenly distributed to each local government area and ethnic nationalities.
Last Thursday , Governor Wike felicitated with Muslims community on celebration of Id-el- Fitr and successful completion of this year’s Ramadan.
In his sallah message, the Governor urged them to pray for the unity and peace of the nation, stressing that by promoting religious tolerance, there will be peace across the country and enhancement of national development.
He assured that the state government and security agencies had put in place security measures to ensure peaceful celebration of sallah.
Another major event in Government House last week, was the visit of the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa who was in the state to commission projects executed by Governor Wike.
Okowa, after commissioning the Mgbuoshimini Model Primary School and Healthcare Centre in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area declared that Wike had set the pace on infrastructural development for others to follow.
The Delta State governor hailed the high standard of the project and stated that the healthcare centre could stand for a standard hospital in some states of the federation.
Wike said it was the high respect he has for the Delta State governor that prompted him to invite him to inaugurate the projects.
He commended Nigeria Agip Oil Company for furnishing the hospital and urged the oil firm to do more for its host communities.
Ahead the local government elections, the state governor made a state broadcast. The elections took place last Saturday in the state.
He said he was determined to ensuring that a credible poll was held so that a democratically elected grassroot government will be at the local government areas.
He expressed confidence in the level of preparedness of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct a credible poll and appealed to all registered voters to turn out in their numbers for the exercise.
Wike however disclosed that intelligence information available to the state government showed that APC was arming the youth to disrupt polls.
Another major event in Government House last week was the visit of the former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan who was in the state to commission the 22.3 Kilometre Airport- Ipo- Omademe-Uzuoaha Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area , constructed by Governor Wike’s administration.
Jonathan, who said that he had lived in Port Harcourt for several years lauded Governor Wike for transforming Port Harcourt City.
He noted that the title of Mr Projects given to Gov Wike was by merit and thanked the governor for extending development to the hinterlands.
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.
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