Politics
PDP’ll Restore Peace In Rivers -Party Stalwart
Irked by the current political crisis rocking Rivers State, a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Eleme Local Government Area, Sir Godwin Owaate, has assured that his party would soon restore peace and deliver even development to the State, as Governor Siminalayi Fubara is poised to run an all-inclusive government.
Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Sir Owaate urged all factions in the impasse to embrace peace for development to thrive, noting that of all the political parties that took part in the 2023 general elections, only the PDP could guarantee a peaceful atmosphere for good governance.
He emphasised that as the party that currently occupies Rivers ‘Brick House’, there was need for the PDP to be cohesive, arguing that only a peaceful political party can dispense quality governance with the interest of the masses in mind.
The ex-PDP boss expressed the hope that the Governor Fubara-led administration in the state will usher in a focused and vision-driven dispensation that will transform the state by executing development projects.
“What I am saying is that we as the good people of Rivers State have had enough of these crisis-ridden situations through our various political parties.
“I believe that the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains the appropriate administration that will take all of us to greater development pedestal through the demonstration of maturity and experience in governance that will meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people in the cities, rural communities, towns and villages across the state.
“Let us forget about internal wranglings that are generating news from court cases for the media, rather than making news about initiating laudable projects and commissioning of completed projects.
“The PDP will guarantee news from executing projects and not from court cases. I am sure that the choice of Sir Siminalayi Fubara as Governor is not a bad omen. I am also certain that the Governor will perform creditably well when we all join forces with him and the party to build an egalitarian state”, Sir Owaate stated.
He commended the zeal of the Governor to develop the rural areas abandoned by successive administrations, adding that once the rural communities of the state are fixed, the state’s economy would have been re-engineered and repositioned for the common good of the people.
The PDP stalwart pointed out that no fewer than 250,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are spread across the rural communities of the state, describing them as the engine room for the massive economic activities that could revolutionise the transformation of the rural communities and the state in general under the watch of Governor Fubara.
Concerning youths and violence, Sir Owaate admonished youths in Rivers State to be agents of peace and shun violence, noting that, “There is need for youths of the state to join hands with the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in his quest to develop them and the state, instead of allowing themselves to be used by desperate politicians and mischief-makers, who are bent on derailing the government from achieving set goals”.
“As youths, you need to promote peace, harmonious relationship with the government, because without peace, governance cannot thrive. Remember that as youths, you are critical stakeholders, this is why politicians use you to cause violence.
“Let me tell you that violence has no gain but destroys lives and property. You should be aware that this is a period for us to participate in the business of governance for the well-being of all of us”, Sir Owaate submitted.
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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