Politics
I Will Support Free, Fair Elections – Wike
The triumph of Governor Nyesom Wike at the Su
preme Court two weeks ago led to a State Thanksgiving Service at St. Peters Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
At the thanksgiving service attended by former First lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, Ex-Governor Peer Odili, and three governors from Aka Ibom, Abia and Bayelsa States, Governor Wike thanked God for His mercies and for truncating the plans by the opposition to destabilize the State.
Governor Wike also used the thanksgiving to thank all those who stood firm with his administration while the legal tussle lasted, and extended the olive branch to the opposition to join hands to move the State forward.
On Monday, last week, the governor played host to Ikwerre Chiefs and Elders Forum led by Prince Paul Woke Wonodi in Government House. The group formally congratulated Barrister Wike over the judgement of the Supreme Court, while commending him for his steadfastness in being focused on transforming the State despite the distraction. They pledged solidarity to the administration, and hinted plans to organise a civic reception at a time convenient for the State Chief Executive.
On Tuesday, the governor inaugurated four boards and agencies. They include the State Tax Appeal Commission, Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency, Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board and Rivers State Bureau for Public Procurement.
The governor charged them to be prudent and manage the Sate resources and their offices well. Most especially, he tasked the tax commission to ensure improved revenue profile for the State.
On the same Tuesday, Governor Wike inspected works on the Nkporgu-Trans Amadi Bridge. He commended the contractor, MCC Nigeria, for a satisfactory work, but urged them to ensure that the March 2016 deadline is realistic.
On Wednesday, the State Government through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George in a press-briefing berated guber candidate of the All Progressives Congress,. Dr. Dakuku Peterside over statement that Governor Wike had known the outcome of the apex court judgement beforehand.
Dr. Tam-George said Peterside’s claim was malicious and aimed at inciting he people of Rivers State.
Governor Wike attended Special Thanksgiving Service organised by the State governors of Abia and later Akwa Ibom within the week. The governor had on Wednesday attended that of Governor Ikpeazu who also won at the Supreme Court and on Thursday attended that of Governor Udom Emmanuel at Uyo.
The governor returned to the State on Friday to host the new State Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission., Mr. Aniedi Ikoiwak, who paid a courtesy call. Wike promised to support the conduct of free and fair polls in the State, while reiterating that the people of the state will resist rigging by any means.
On Friday, the State Government through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, released a statement suspending the Commissioner for Finance and State Accountant General. No reason was given for their suspension.
On Saturday, Governor Wike in company of his wife, Justice Suzette Nyesom-Wike, attended the funeral service of Late Gladys Chinda at St Matthews Anglican Church Mgbuoba.
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.
-
News3 days agoRSG Targets Nine Million Residents in Mosquito Net Distribution Campaign
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoAiyedatiwa Signs New Electricity Bill
-
Maritime3 days agoMarine Minister Commends President Tinubu On NPERA Bill Assent
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoNLNG Commissions Research And Innovation Centre In RSU
-
News3 days agoKenPoly Holds Eight Convocations, August 29
-
News3 days agoRSG Begins Another Phase of Projects Commissioning Today
-
News3 days agoRMAFC Completes Revenue Sharing Review, Proposes New Pay
-
Maritime3 days agoNAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Maritime Police Harassment