Politics
Wike Assures On Independence Of Legislature
Activities in Government House, last week, began with official proclamation of the 9th Assembly last Monday by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The Governor, who relied on Section 105 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, said, ” Now therefore, I, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, ( CON, GSSRS, POS Africa) Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria, in exercise of the power conferred upon me by Section 105 of the Constitution and all other powers enabling me in that behalf, hereby proclaim the 8th Assembly of the 4th Republic of the Rivers State House of Assembly dissolved, while the first session of the 9th Assembly shall hold on this day, 3rd day of June 2019 at the Assembly Complex, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
He urged members of the House to be constructive, democratic, progressive and people-oriented in their deliberations, as the House is being ushered in for a new term.
The Governor assured the state lawmakers that his administration will continue to promote the independence of the legislature.
He noted that since the inception of his administration, Rivers State House of Assembly has been known for its high sense of decorum in the conduct of its proceedings and expressed hope that the House would continue with such tradition.
Governor Wike felicitated with Muslim community in the state on the celebration of Id-el-Fitr.
In a Sallah message released on Monday, the Governor urged the Muslim, community to pray for the unity and peace of the nation and to also rededicate themselves to the ideals, peace, security and friendship.
Wike further urged Nigerians to promote religious tolerance, and stressed that such virtue would enhance peace and national development.
He commended Muslims in the state for their consistent support for his administration.
Another major event, last week in Brick House, was the Special State Luncheon organised for members of the Rivers State 2nd Term Inauguration Committee at Banquet Hall of the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Governor assured that he would always involve those who worked hard for the success of his administration, especially those who served in the Second Term Inauguration Committee.
He commended the committee members for delivering what he described as world class transition from first to second term for his administration.
The governor said that it was in appreciation of the wonderful work by the committee that he and the deputy governor decided to organise the luncheon for members.
Chairman of the committee and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Austin Opara commended the Governor for the opportunity to serve the state.
Last Monday, Governor Wike inaugurated a Technical Committee for the implementation of the recommendation of the Rivers State report on soot.
Wike, while inaugurating the committee directed the Head of Service to also invite the Nigeria Army, Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Police to participate in the implementation committee.
He restated the commitment of his administration towards addressing the environmental and health issues raised by the presence of soot.
He emphasised that the soot crisis is worse than insecurity because of the long term health challenges they pose to the people.
The committee is made up of environmental experts, scientists, environmental lawyers, doctors, civil society, oil majors and security services.
Chairman of the Technical Committee , Prof Roseline Konya, assured the Governor that the committee will work hard to resolve the soot crisis.
The United Kingdom Department for International Development Team in the Niger Delta paid a courtesy visit to Gov Wike, last Friday in Government House.
Conflict Adviser of the team, Charlotte Neil, disclosed that the British Government is interested in knowing the critical areas of need in Rivers state for partnership.
Governor Wike, while responding, solicited for support in the training of the State Neighborhood Safety personnel, agriculture, vocational training , sanitation, as well as training of both Basic and Senior secondary teachers.
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.
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