Politics
Wike, Wife Celebrate Valentine With Govt Officials
Last week in Government House, began on a love note
with a Special Valentine’s Day celebration organised by the wife of the governor, Justice Suzette Nyesom-Wike for top government officials and their spouses.
But before the Valentine’s ball, the governor had during a political rally organised by the leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Evo Kingdom condemned the attitude of opposition members who are bent to disrupt peace and stifle the growth of Rivers State due to their political ambitions.
Against this backdrop, the governor urged the people to vote PDP candidate in the upcoming rerun elections, as a way of consolidating the current development in the state.
On the same day, while speaking at the Valentine’s party for state officials, Barrister Wike underscored the need for love and family values. He used the couples night to lift the suspension of Accountant-General, Sir Abere Dagogo.
Governor Wike also used the function to express his continue appreciation to God Almighty for the triumph at the Supreme Court. He said, “If we had lost at the Supreme Court, many persons would have been arrested”.
On Tuesday the governor took time off to inspect some ongoing projects. He assured that no part of the state would be left out in the development plans of the present administration. The governor assured the people of Ikwerre and Etche Local Government Areas that the road linking their communities would be constructed in line with specifications to serve the need of the people.
On Wednesday, Governor Wike was at Abia State for the Victory thanksgiving service of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to mark his legal triumph at the Supreme Court. Other governors that attended the Special Church Service included were Senator Ifeanyi Okowa Delta State.
On Thursday the governor hosted the governing council of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology led by its Pro Chancellor, Justice (Rtd) Iche Ndu. The retired Chief Judge of Rivers State used the visit to congratulate the governor on his victory at the Supreme Court.
Justice Ndu also used the visit to intimate the governor about the development in the university and the ongoing plans to commence the school’s college of medicine. He disclosed that already a committee has been set up to work on modalities on the take off of the programme in the next academic session.
On his part, Governor Wike, thanked the RSUST Governing Council and the new smooth relationship that has blossomed between staff and management, and urged them to continue the temp. The governor pledged support to the new College of Medicine, but used the meeting to announce government resolution to pay salaries of civil servants through the new Bank Validated Numbers (BVN).
On Friday, wife of the governor, Justice Eberechi Nyesom Wike convened a special stakeholders meeting for women in the state. The meeting was aimed at chatting fresh blueprint for women development in the state.
In the words of the wife of the governor, “… As women, we should work towords promoting peace so that the government can continue with development projects in the state”.
Back to the state on Saturday, Governor Wike attended the 50th birthday of Sentor Lee Maeba at Luwa Town in Khana Local Government Area and addressed thousands of PDP faithful. He said the letter of petition by APC Chairman to security to arrest top PDP members before the re-run elections will fail. Wike further urged the people to vote PDP all the way.
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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