Politics
Abe Fingers Amaechi Over Removal Of Nddc’s Executive Director
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has been accused of successfully plotting the removal of the Executive Director, Finance and Accounts (EDFA) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Derek Mene.
The Senator representing Rivers South East District in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe made the accusation in a statement issued in Port Harcourt at the weekend.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had dissolved the board of the NDDC and appointed Prof. Nelson Braimbraifa, as acting Managing Director of the agency.
But Abe in the statement issued by his spokesman, Parry Benson said he received news of the dissolution of the NDDC board with mixed feelings, alleging that Amaechi had long threatened to remove Mr. Mene from the commission due to his stand on issues in Rivers politics.
Abe wondered why Mr. Derek Mene was the only executive removed in the dissolution of the board, especially as he was replaced by someone from Rivers East Senatorial District, home district of the Transportation Minister.
The statement reads, “I received the news of the dissolution of the board of the NDDC with mixed feelings. First, let me thank the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari for the privilege given to the two prominent Rivers sons, Mr. Derek Lenyie Mene who served as Executive Director, Finance and Accounts of the NDDC and Iboroma Harry who served as the Rivers state Commissioner on the board.”
”However, it is an open secret that Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi had long threatened to remove Mr. Mene from the commission for his principled stand on issues of injustice and fairness in Rivers politics, particularly as it affects the marginalization of the people of Rivers South East Senatorial District in the leadership of the state.
”Coincidentally, the only executive removed in the dissolution of the board is Mr. Derek Mene and his position has now been given to someone from Rivers east senatorial district, home district of the Minister and present Governor of the state,” he said.
The Senator describes Mene’s removal as a further proof pf marginalization of people of the Rivers South East Senatorial district in the leadership of the state, pointing out that no amount of arm twisting will stop him from abandoned the struggle to enthrone equal rights and justice for Rivers people.
The statement further reads, “l am particularly proud of Mr. Mene, who stood his ground in the face of a vicious campaign of hate, calumny, threat, intimidation and deprivation. Our struggle predates the present board of the NDDC, and will outlive the dissolution of the board,” he said
Senator Abe however thanked President Buhari, the Minister of Transportation and all leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the opportunity given to the two illustrious sons of the state to serve in their various capacity in the NDDC
”Let me assure all lovers of justice in APC that the struggle for fairness, equity, justice and respect for our members in the APC, is no way affected by the dissolution of NDDC board.
He urged party members who are considering to decamp to other political parties to be patient and prayerful as the crises in the party is created by one man who thinks he has power over his fellow men, saying only God has supreme powers.
Dennis Naku
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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