Politics
Ministerial Appointment: N’Delta Group Makes Case For Wike
A foremost socio-political group in Rivers State, the United Brothers Of Opobo Kingdom (UBOK), has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) –led Federal Government to appoint former Rivers State governor, Chief Nyesom Wike as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to represent the interest of Rivers people in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
In a statement released to newsmen shortly after an enlarged National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Port Harcourt and signed by its President, Engr. Alafuro Mac-Pepple, Vice President, Godswill Emmanuel Jaja, Secretary, Daniel Finebone and Public Relations Officer, Dagogo Epelle respectively, the group noted that Chief Wike contributed immensely towards the victory of President Tinubu during the just concluded 2023 general polls.
The group recalled the pivotal role the former governor played to turn the electoral tide in favour of President Tinubu, adding that it wo uld not be out of place for the president to return the favour of Rivers people who voted massively for him by appointing the man who made it possible as a minister.
It noted that the former governor displayed true spirit of statesmanship in rising above partisanship to throw his weight behind the president even when chieftains of the APC in the state abandoned their presidential candidate.
“Any reward in the form of ministerial appointment should go to Chief Nyesom Wike who worked tirelessly to enthrone the current Bola Tinubu–led Federal Government as anything short of that would neither be fair nor just.
“The question is; where were those claiming that they supported Tinubu/Shettima Presidential bid during the polls and what would have become of the ticket if not for the urgent intervention of God Almighty via Chief Nyesom Wike?
“They were like Peter who denied their candidate during the election, but instead pitched tent with the opposition party and now intend to be part of the government. They should all bury their faces in shame”, UBOK said.
The group reiterated their support to the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu as well as the Rivers State Government led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and wished them a peaceful and successful administration.
Meanwhile, the group has congratulated Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof.Ngozi Odu and other representatives in the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, describing their emergence as “a call to serve the people better as they are expected to provide the elusive dividends of democracy”.
The organisation enjoined others in positions of trust in the area not to fail the people but rather commit themselves to providing purposeful leadership aimed at improving the lot of the people, especially the youths and vulnerable groups.
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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