Politics
Ex-INC Boss, Others Root For CTC Chair Ahead LG Polls
A former president of the Ijaw National Congress ( INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime; Pro-Chancellor, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka and the Women leader of the Simplified Movement in Okrika Local Government Area, Opuerembo Bertha Dede, have all endorsed the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Okrika local government council, Princess Ibiene Ogan, to run for the office of the substantive chairman of council in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
They made their views known while speaking at the second phase empowerment programme of the local government council.
Professor Obianime lauded the caretaker committee chairman for showing exceptional qualities, adding that it was the first time since the creation of the local government area that Okrika people were feeling the impact of good governance.
He said it was his wish that Princess Ogan would be allowed to come back as substantive chairman in the forthcoming local government elections.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, said the caretaker committee chairman had shown capacity in the administration of the council.
“I’m glad that I endorsed her candidature and I’m very proud to say that she has not disappointed me.
“She has done marvellously in terms of empowerment, and as you can see, I’m very glad. I’m also requesting her not to rest on her oars, she should rather do better”, he said.
Chief Amiesimaka, who called on the people of Okrika to interrogate other candidates before voting for them, expressed surprise that some of those who had gone to him for endorsement did not even know the functions of local government councils.
“Some of them came to me to lobby for endorsement in the forthcoming election and I asked them one question, what are the statutory responsibilities of local government chairman? Most of them don’t have a clue.
“It should nolonger be business as usual. I have asked the people to ask questions, look at the candidate”, he said.
He said the empowerment initiatives will act as a stimulant to rejig the private sector, adding that this will make many people to be self dependent instead of depending on the government every time.
Chief Amiesimaka also described Governor Fubara as an exceptional leader, stressing that the Governor had identified with the people.
“He is the people’s governor. The governor is sensitive to the plight of the ordinary people and as we all know, this is not just a political statement, it’s the reality”, he said.
In her remarks, the Women Leader of the Simplified Movement in Okrika Local Government Àrea, Opuerembo Bertha Dede, said the caretaker committee chairman had demonstrated a unique leadership style that was missing since the creation of the local government area.
She said the people, not just the women, will be happy if the state Governor will consider bringing Princess Ogan back as Executive Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area.
“Tody, we are here for empowerment, our CTC chairman is empowering her people. I’m so happy for what she is doing because it has not been done in the local government.
“Since all the time Chairmen have been leading, I have not seen this progress but when this lady came, so many things are changing.
“If the Governor will return her back, we will be so happy”, she said.
Opuerembo Dede enumerated some of the achievements of the caretaker chairman to include constant power supply, provision of water, empowerment of the women folk and regular cleaning of drainages, amongst others.
Meanwhile, Princess Ogan has described the second phase empowerment programme as another phase in her administration’s attempt to economically empower the people.
John Bibor & Idris Marvellous
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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