Politics
Wike’s Achievements Have Confounded Opposition -Nsirim
Illuminating the second phase of the #OurState OurResponsibility advocacy campaign flagged off last week, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim says the hitherto restless and relentless opposition and armchair critics of Governor Nyesom Wike administration in the state are now confounded by his gargantuan achievements in human capital and infrucfactural development so much so that they are themselves eager to change the negative narrative they bandy about the state.
Nsirim, in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, Tuesday, recalled how the first phase of the advocacy campaign mobilized the masses of the people and changed the negative narrative about the state orchestrated by those he described as detractors, said the opposition is so overwhelmed that it has pocketed self pride prefatory to drumming support for Governor Nyesom Wike over his infrastructural development of the state.
Notwithstanding their antics, the Information and Communications Commissioner insisted that with the avowal of Governor Wike to persistently deliver democracy dividends until his handover day, Rivers people should start counting their blessings and be well involved in the renewed advocacy campaign now hinged more on citizens’ participation.
Recalling how the first phase of the advocacy campaign laid bare “the see-it-yourselves evidence of Wike’s uncommon efforts at galvanizing the state into greater heights”, Nsirim hinted that the past administration which could not pay workers’ salary for four months and which predicted Wike’s failure in project execution is now hiding its face in shame, given the prompt payment of workers salary and massive infrastructural development in the twenty three local government areas of the state.
The commissioner stated that the awards Governor Wike has won and keep winning from reputable media organizations are a testimony of his hardwork, prudence and purposefulness, insisting that he remains the Governor to beat in the country.
He said while Wike’s contemporaries have been blaming the lull in projects executions in their state to the deleterious impact of Covid-19 on revenue generation, the state governor has continued to deploy his ingenuity to making Rivers State the reliable index of development in Nigeria.
“Here is a man who met an empty treasury upon assumption of office in 2015. He was not even given a handover note in 2015. He started from the scratch. He is thus a man with a vision, a man who has the backing of God Almighty, a prudent manager of resources”, Nsirim further stated.
Describing Wike as a God’s gift to the people of the state, Nsirim recalled how women in 2019, fought soldiers who were snatching ballot boxes at polling units, stressing that the governor has divine mandate to govern the state owing to his love for the people and the state.
He harped on the imperatives of citizens participation on the second phase of the #OurStateOurResponsibility advocacy campaign, adding that beyond the incentives that abound for winners of the various competitions, it was an opportunity for participants to showcase their talents to the world with a view to getting even greater opportunities from philanthropists and organizations.
By: Victor Tew
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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