Politics
Obasanjo Lauds Diri, Predecessor’s Stewardship …Says Bayelsa Progressing Under Gov’s Watch
Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has praised Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for his sterling performance, saying the State was making significant strides in all areas of development.
The erstwhile President particularly commended the governor for consolidating the legacies of his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, which he said has contributed to the peace, security and political stability under Diri’s leadership.
A statement from the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the former President as having stated this during the 12th Bayelsa State annual ‘Thanksgiving Day’ ceremony at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene, Yenagoa the state capital.
Alabrah added that the 86-year-old former president said: “What I saw is more than what I expected. What you have here in Bayelsa that you have to cherish is peace. Comparatively, you have greater peace than other parts of the country.
“You have security. Peace without security is no peace. Security without peace is no security. Here you have security, you have peace and you have stability.
“If what is happening here is replicated in all other states in Nigeria, then, we will say we have a good country.”
In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri expressed appreciation to Obasanjo for honouring and identifying with the people and government of the State.
The Governor attributed his achievements largely to the support and cooperation of Bayelsans and to divine grace, noting that the State needs peace and development.
The Tide which was present at the occasion reports that Governor Diri also said his predecessor, former Governor Dickson laid the foundation upon which his administration was building on.
“Everybody who comes to the State acknowledges the peace and security. So, we cannot go back to the era of violence, impunity and brigandage. The essence of government is to bring peace, development and progress.
“Today, we have added value to the development of Bayelsa. We are embarking on meaningful projects and programmes and we thank God for His grace to do these things”, Governor Diri said.
The Bayelsa Chief Executive also appreciated leaders of the State, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that he would have attended the event if he had not travelled out of the country.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District and immediate past Governor of the State, Senator Seriake Dickson has appreciated Governor Diri for sustaining the legacies of his administration, particularly the road projects, the annual thanksgiving, morning devotion in Government House and the monthly praise night.
Dickson said he was a fulfilled man because he successfully handed over power without rancour and the State is peaceful and on the path of development.
The guest preacher, Pastor Lazarus Muoka of The Lord’s Chosen, Charismatic Revival Movement, delivered a sermon with the theme: “Blessed Are You.”
Pastor Muoka described the state as a blessed land where God had bestowed mineral resources that were the economic live-wire of the country.
This was even as he lauded the government and the people for setting aside a special thanksgiving day to appreciate God for His blessings upon the state.
Meanwhile , Chief Obasanjo inaugurated the second phase of the ongoing Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie senatorial road from Igeibiri to Angiama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
The former president applauded the developmental efforts of Dr. Jonathan, who started the project as well as Senator Dickson for continuing it.
According to him, that is the importance of continuity and if you have a horse that is winning in a race, there is no need to change it in reference to Governor Diri’s second term bid.
Obasanjo described the construction of the senatorial road as a symbol of one of the positives of state creation to address development challenges.
Dignitaries present at the thanksgiving included wife of the governor, Dr. Gloria Diri; Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and his wife, Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo; Head of Service, Rivers State, Dr George Nwaeke, who represented Governor Siminalayi Fubara; Senator Dickson’s wife, Dr. Rachael Dickson; former Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), national and state lawmakers and their spouses.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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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