Politics
I Am Poised To Serve Oyigbo Better – Dappa
“The task of nation building must be delegated to the young, to stay in the arena of public life and tussle with our children would be wrong because it would prolong the din and strife”.
These timeless words of
the late sage and nationalist, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe in his poem entitled “The Young Old Man” may have provided the impetus for the navigation of Pastor Joe Dappa in the murky waters of politics.
Born 37 years ago to Chief and Mrs. Howard Opanwa Dappa at Obete-Ndoki Community, in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, Joe Dappa possesses a princely gait and aristocratic mannerisms, which are evident in his tacit good leadership dispositions in the society. He is a gentleman par excellence and a house-hold name in the politics of Oyigbo having stood the test of time as Assistant Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The reason is not far-fetched. Dappa has the pedigree and has always displayed the requisite ideological orientation to pilot the affairs of his people as an elected Executive Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area come this year’s Local Government election in Rivers State.
Pastor Dappa, an indefatigable handsome and intelligent gentleman is no doubt an idol. This great political tactician and strategist, prepared himself from natal for the challenges ahead when he attended the prestigious Community Primary School, Obete Ndoki from 1985 – 1991. Thereafter, the amiable young man of no mean repute proceeded to Community Secondary School, Obete Ndoki from 1991-1997.
Due to his high level intellectual status and organizational acumen, he was Assistant Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oyigbo LGA from 2013-2020.
Pastor Joe Dappa, as an astute and intrepid politician came to limelight in the nation’s polity nearly a decade ago when he launched his debut political onslaught in the botched Sixth Republic in which he lucidly emerged as Councilor in his Ward, but was later edged out in controversial circumstances by a gang of political hegemonists. This he accepted in good faith due to his stoical nature.
Our subject, a paragon of selfless service and humility borne out of the fear of God after due consultations owing to persistent calls to serve in a higher capacity by members of his constituency was selected to take a shot at the next election as Executive Chairman of Oyigbo LGA under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
On this score, he told The Tide that he is poised to serve his people better in the capacity of Executive Chairman of the local goverment.
This, is a bid to provide a purposeful leadership and take inhabitants of Oyigbo Council area to the promise land, where milk and honey are enormous, now in sight.
Pastor Dappa, a seasoned gospel preacher and God’s chosen vessel, and presently the General Overseer of Power of Ezekiel Ministries, Marine Base, Port Harcourt.
Having built bridges of understanding across the length and breath of Oyigbo Local Government Area, Pastor Joe Dappa has come to be the Peoples Man Friday. The old, the young, and even the non-indigenes are rooting for this political iconoclast because of his hard work and detribalized nature.
What more do we need to convince the skeptics that Pastor Dappa have been ordained and divinely anointed for the Chairmanship position. Everything it would appear have been heavenly orchestrated to endorse him for the position when the people in their wisdom zoned the Chairmanship slot to Umuokobo Autonomous Clan, Comprising, Umuagbai, Mgbu, Azuogu, Marihu, Okpontu and Obete – Ndoki Communities, especially Oyigbo Ward 6, the country place of Pastor Joe Dappa. The voice of the people they say is the voice of God. God has spoken through the electorate and it will come to pass. It will not be wrong ! he is called the man with the “Divine Mandate”.
Besides, he is shoulder above other aspirants considering his antecedents as the servant of the Most High God and the people.
By: Bethel Toby
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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