Politics
CDCs Endorse Wike
In continuation of his campaign for a non-violent, free and fair election, the Rivers State Governor. Chief Nyesom Wike, has charged Community Development Committees (CDCs) to ensure that election rigging is not allowed in their various communities.
The Governor gave the charge, Friday, at a meeting he had with CDC members in the 23 local government areas in the state.
” You have to stay on ground to ensure that nobody hijacks electoral materials in any part of the state”.
Coordinator of the United Community Development Committees, Mr John Chinedu Onwubuali announced the endorsement of the governor for a second term in office.
Onwubuali said that the group is happy with the extensive project delivery of Governor Wike, hence the decision to support his reelection.
Meanwhile, the PDP rally in the state has covered 16 out of the 23 local government areas in the state with only 7 local government areas remaining.
The campaign train covered six local government areas last week. The train will berth at Oyigbo today.
Last week alone, Governor Wike led the train to six local government areas. The LGAs include Bonny, Gokana, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Okrika, Akuku-Toru, and Port Harcourt.
The governor has attributed the present poor state of things in the educational sector in the country to President Muhammadu Buhari’s hatred of the sector.
Wike stated this during the campaign rally held in Abonnema headquarters of Akuku-Toru local government area on Friday.
He said: “Buhari government hates education. That’s why universities and polytechnics are closed and there is no serious engagement with the unions”.
He urged Nigerians to vote Atiku Abubakar who understands the relevance of education to national development.
He promised to complete the Abonnema Ring Road and other key project, stressing that his administration will execute more projects if voted in for another tenure.
At the PDP rally on Thursday, Wike promised to construct a bridge to link Okrika to Port Harcourt, the state capital. He equally promised to award electricity project to boost power supply in the area.
Governor Wike also inaugurated a 100,000 litre water project executed by his administration in the area.
The governor declared that the reliance on state violence by APC to win election in Rivers State will fail.
He said this at the PDP rally held in Port Harcourt Local Government Area on Saturday at Community Secondary School, Nkpolu Oroworukwu.
He said that his administration will create more urban centres in the state.
The former Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, commended the governor for his outstanding delivery of projects and assured that the people of Port Harcourt City will vote enmasse for him and other PDP candidates at the forthcoming elections to enable him continue with the good job he is doing.
“We need to let you know that Rivers State and Port Harcourt in particular remain for PDP. We shall vote PDP top to bottom”, said Opara.
Addressing thousands of people at ONLGA rally on Wednesday, Wike urged them to use their PVC to sack Buhari-led Federal Government for foistering economic hardship on Nigerians.
He stressed that Buhari does not deserve a second term because he lacks the capacity to lead as shown in his first term.
On Saturday, Wike inspected the ongoing Judge’s Quarters and the Fruit Garden Market both in Port Harcourt city.
Chris Oluoh
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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