Politics
Group Hails Wike’s Olive Branch To Political Leaders
A Non Governmental Organisation, the Rivers Angels of Peace ( RAP), has applauded the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for extending the olive branch to his political opponents.
RAP President, Ibudeinte Igoniko, who made the commendation over the week in Port Harcourt, said the olive branch is a clear indication that the governor believes in the unity of all political actors.
Igoniko, noted that it takes a lion heart to involve political opponents in government and enjoined opposition political actors to embrace the gesture as to move the state forward.
“ Any true Rivers politician should see politics as a too for development. Opposition parties should embrace the olive branch, come together and work for the development of the state”, she said.
The president regretted that the state has lost so much because of political acrimony adding that it is time they work together as a people united in the progress of the state.
She called on political stakeholders in the state to see Rivers as the only state they have and work together to lift it to the next level irrespective of the parties and other individual differences.
She advised them to forgive themselves and purge themselves of whatever grudge and contribute towards developing the state.
She called on the governor to consider as one of the priorities of his administration the engagement of youths of the state in economic activities, stressing that the number of persons without job was becoming alarming.
The RAP boss urged politicians to see themselves as representatives of the people and always consult them before taking their stand on crucial issues.
“ This time calls for change of attitude. The era of hiding in Abuja, changing of phone numbers after being voted into office, is over.
“Always consult people of your constitutiency to know their feelings as to make better presentation in the House.
“ Those who believe that their personal interest is more important than those of the people who voted for them should be recalled and not allowed to go for second term because second term should be reserved only for those who have performed outstandingly”, she 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.
-
Business4 hours ago
PTDF Committed To Tinubu’s Development Plan – CEO
-
Oil & Energy4 hours ago
Civil Society Demands Accountability over N60Billion AKS Oil Producing Communities
-
News4 hours ago
Court Hears ATROMPCON Leadership Suit Today
-
Business4 hours ago
NMDPRA, NUPRC To Strengthen Domestic Crude Supply Chain ………, Says Nigeria’s Refining Capacity Hits 1.25 Million bpd
-
Education5 hours ago
Environmental Education Remains Critical Tool To Address Environmental Challenges Says Experts
-
News3 hours agoPolice Nab Kidnap Syndicate, Arrest Five In Rivers
-
Business4 hours ago
WEC: FG Inaugurates Governing Board … As Nigeria Rejoins Council
-
Politics5 hours ago
Yilwatda’s Birthday Outreach Demonstrates Leadership – Kefas