Politics
PDP Wants Credible Polls In Ekiti …As INEC Reassures On Peaceful Conduct
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election is free and fair.
The PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus gave the charge when he received Former PDP State Assemblies Presiding Officers at PDP national secretariat last Monday in Abuja.
Secondus said that any attempt to rig Ekiti election, scheduled for July 14, would be a threat to 2019 general elections.
He said: “The best that the All Progressives Congress (APC) can give Nigerians is to conduct free and fair election and earn the credit.
“PDP did it in 2015. We conducted credible presidential election; we lost and handed over power.
“People should be allowed to test their will. We must allow the will of the people to prevail.
“If you are popular, test it. Don’t intimidate or harass the people. Tell them the truth.’’
Secondus expressed optimism that re-branded PDP would regain its lost ground, including the presidency it lost in 2015 general elections.
He advised security agencies not to subject their loyalty to any political party but Nigerians.
“ Members of the security agencies should know that the tax payers’ money is so important. You are not being paid by a party. One day, you will give account.”
He condemned the killing of innocent people in the country and called on the government to redouble efforts in arresting the problem.
The Chairman of the Former State Assemblies Presiding Officers, Inuwa Garba urged the party national leaders to ensure that popular and experienced candidates emerge as the party candidates in future elections.
”Popular and experience candidates that can deliver should be our target’’
Garba, who canvassed the inclusion of the group members in all activities of PDP, pledged the loyalty of the group to the party to ensure the success its success in the coming elections.
Garba commended the Secondus for leading the party well and for the achievements his administration had recorded so far in the face of intimidation. Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday reassured Nigerians of its determination and readiness to deliver credible and acceptable elections in Ekiti and Osun governorship elections as well as in 2019.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), last Monday reassured Nigerians of its determinationa nd readiness to deliver credible and acceptable elections in Ekiti and Osun governorship elections as well as in 2019.
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the assurance during his opening remarks at a week-long retreat for INEC staff in collaboration with European Centre for Electoral Supports (ECES) in Lagos.
Yakubu said the commission had planned well for great achievement during the forthcoming 2019 general elections in the country.
According to him, all necessary measures have been put place to make sure that 2019 general elections would be better than the 2015 elections.
“Part of what we have come to do is the implementation of the plans put in place for the forthcoming elections.
“This is coming immediately after the completion of the strategic plan programme of action and the election project plan,” he said.
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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