Politics
‘Wike’s Olive Branch Shows Focused, True Leadership’
A member of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Christopher Wonodi, has lauded Governor Nyesom Wike for offering an olive branch to opposition political parties in the state, saying such move can only come from a focused and true leader.
This is as the monarch expressed the optimism that the Governor will complete the remaining development projects he started, focus on youth development and general empowerment as he prepares for his inauguration for a second term in office on May 29.
Chief Christopher Nnanna Wonodi, who is the Eze Mbam Abali X11, Eze Risioha in Rebisi, Port Harcourt, made the call during an exclusive chat with The Tide in the Rivers State capital at the weekend.
According to him, “You will agree with me that the Governor is very focused going by his people-oriented projects and his large heart to accommodate people. Although there are few of the projects he is yet to complete. I am sure that he will complete them and even deliver more in his second tenure.
“We all know that he (the Governor) was faced with a lot of distractions from the opposition. But thank God all that is over after he was declared winner of the last Governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), an election he won by a landslide victory.
“As a matter of fact, this is why people love Governor Nyesom Wike because while some people are making the place uncomfortable for him, he keeps waxing stronger. So let me say that the acceptance of the olive branch by the opposition parties is good. It is a welcome development.
“They (the opposition) should know that there is time for everything as recorded in Ecclesiastes. They have fought a war, so to speak and now the war is over. Everybody should come together, like they have agreed, they should be sincere in supporting the Governor and make the state move forward,” he noted.
The monarch observed that the people need to be engaged, while expressing worry over the recent spate of cult related activities in some parts of the State; pointing out that it was in the light of these and general insecurity that the Governor met with traditional rulers and other stakeholders recently to chart a new regime of peace aimed at attracting investment and bring more development to the state.
“So we are calling on these boys to stop all these mindless killings and related vices because these are ill wind that blow nobody any good. There must be respect for human life. We need the government to concentrate and work for the state to be safe so that companies can also spring up and provide employment opportunities.
“I believe that his second tenure will focus well on human capital development and empowerment of our people. But our people should learn to be patient. Again it is not just empowerment by doling out monies. People, especially the youths must be ready to work and do something meaningful to be useful to themselves and society.”
Dennis Naku
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.
-
Editorial3 days agoThat Oshiomhole’s Call On FG’s Road Projects
-
Education3 days ago
Environmental Education Remains Critical Tool To Address Environmental Challenges Says Experts
-
Education3 days ago
UNIPORT VC Receives Probe Report on Student Union Crisis
-
City Crime3 days agoTinubu Appoints Ex-Tide Staff Registrar Of Chartered Chemists
-
Oil & Energy3 days ago
NCDMB, BOI Unveil $100m Nigerian Content Equity Fund …Set To Invest $5m In Oil Firms
-
Sports3 days agoRivers-born Chess Player Clinches Third Position At World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship
-
Business3 days ago
PTDF Committed To Tinubu’s Development Plan – CEO
-
Politics3 days ago
Yilwatda’s Birthday Outreach Demonstrates Leadership – Kefas