Politics
Check Emerging Political Cartels’ Activities In Rivers, Group Tells Fubara
A frontline non-governmental political pressure group in Rivers State, the Eleme Patriotic Assembly for Good Governance (EPAG), has called on Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to curtail the excesses of emerging political cartels and structures as they may create more problems for his administration if left unchecked.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Nchia, headquarters of Eleme Local Government Area recently and signed by its President, Hon. Henry Mbie Osaro, Secretary, Dr. Promise Gomba and Public Relations Officer, Barr. Joyce Okpabi shortly after its National Working Committee (NWC) meeting.
The group which is an advocate of good governance commended Governor Fubara for his effort at maintaining peace in Rivers State in the face of the political upheaval orchestrated by ‘political mischief makers’ who claim the State as their personal property.
The group cautioned that if unchecked, the emerging political structures and cartels may destabilise his administration, adding that for Governor Fubara to succeed and deliver on his renewed hope and consolidation agenda, some tough decisions must be taken and some elements within his administration kept at bay.
It stated that the defection of the 25 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a confirmation that their sponsors do not mean well for the well-being of the State and her people.
“What Governor Siminalayi Fubara did of recent to bring peace to the State is very timely. The plot to unseat him as a sitting Governor by these enemies of Rivers State progress has failed, which exposed their negative antecedents in the act of governance, thereby messing up their political fortunes. By this singular act, they and their sponsors have been able to render themselves in the political parlance of the State and Nigeria ineffective.
“Fubara remains a man of peace and courage and God-fearing, who apart from all amount of intimidation, blackmail and victimisation stands on the side of peaceful co-existence. Some persons in the shoes of Fubara would have reacted differently against such obnoxious plot by such mischief makers and their cohorts, but Fubara rather remained peaceful. Being a leader who is in charge, he acted swiftly ad all the lawmakers and their sponsors should be ashamed as they allowed themselves to be cajoled, thereby relegating those they represent to the background”, the group said.
Meanwhile, the group which assured Governor Fubara of its support and loyalty to his government, has urged the state chief executive to initiate more people oriented development projects in the rural communities that had been denied government attention during past governments in the state.
It further urged the governor not to be deterred by those fanning the embers of disorderliness and the pursuit of how to empty the state treasury to the detriment of Rivers people, but should rather focus on his plan to move the state to an enviable development pedestal.
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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