Politics
Rivers Remains PDP Stronghold – Wike
As the campaign train of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) moves round the various Local Government Areas of the state, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has maintained that Rivers State remains a stronghold of the Party, and as such its candidates will win all the elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking at Omoku in Ogba Egbema Local Government Area on Monday during the official flag-off of the PDP campaign in Rivers State, Governor Wike said the PDP Government in the state had kept faith with the social contract with the people of the state, having performed exceedingly well in the delivery of critical infrastructures in the state.
To consolidate on the achievements and gains of his administration, Governor Wike urged the people of ONELGA to vote for the Governorship candidate of the PDP, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and other candidates of the party in the state.
He urged the people to be cautious against the moves by the ‘enemies’ of the state whose only interest in contending for political power is to plunder the resources of the state.
Governor Wike recalled that the people of Ogba /Egbema /Ndoni, Abua/ Odual, Ahoada West and Ahoada East LGAs were abandoned to their fate by the ‘enemies’ of the state who showed no empathy at a dire moment when the people experienced a ravaging flooding and needed assistance most, noting that there was no justification for them to earn the people’s vote.
Governor Wike further declared that the unprecedented and unparalleled achievements of his administration in the state were glaring evidence and testimonials of good governance which will be sustained by his successor, adding that other political parties seeking elective positions in the state were unpopular and unserious, and as such have nothing to offer the people.
The PDP campaign train on Tuesday moved to Ikwerre LGA with an explosive turn out of party faithful and supporters.
Addressing the mammoth crowd at St Martin’s Anglican Church, Omagwa Town, the Rivers State Governor said the beauty of the forthcoming general elections is that the people will have the opportunity to participate actively in the electoral process with the confidence of having their votes secured against any form of manipulation and intimidation from security personnel.
Governor Wike said the PDP government in Rivers State had done well and urged the people to reciprocate the gesture by voting massively for all PDP candidates in the state. On the preferred Presidential Candidate for Rivers people to vote for, Governor Wike maintained that Rivers State has a significant political bearing which cannot be undermined or glossed over, and as such the state must take its pride of place in Nigeria’s political space.
He urged the people to be patient as he would not compromise on the interest of Rivers State.
The Emuoha campaign rally which held at Community Primary School field Rumuji, Odegwe Town, on Wednesday also witnessed a massive turn out.
Governor, Wike who described Emuoha LGA as one the major beneficiaries of his administration, used the opportunity to implore the people of the LGA to vote for the candidates of the PDP in the general elections.
At the Oyigbo rally on Friday, there was a high display of funfare among the teeming PDP supporters.
Speaking at the rally, Governor Wike urged the people of Oyigbo to vote for Siminalayi Fubara and other PDP candidates to attract more dividends of democracy to the area.
The PDP rally in Khana LGA on Saturday was also a huge success. Governor Wike said the huge turn out was an indication that the PDP leaders in the area were working in unity.
The Rivers State Governor who kicked against the desolution of the PDP executive in Ekiti State and the suspension of some PDP members by the Iyorchia Ayu led national executive of the party, described the action as illegal and has the potential of causing more damage to the party.
By: Taneh Beemene
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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