Politics
We’ll Rebuild PDP – Wike
A meeting ahead the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
National Convention billed to be held in the state next month ushered in activities last week in Government House.
As the Chairman of the 2016 PDP National Convention Committee, Governor Nyesom Wike played host to other members of the committee, which included governors of Taraba and Ebonyi States last Sunday; former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, Political Adviser to former President Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, Sir Celestine Omehia, Hon Leo Ogar were among those who attended the inaugural meeting.
Governor Wike urged members of the Committee to work as a team to ensure the success of the 2016 Convention, as he assured of a peaceful and hitch-free convention. “We are now in opposition. Our interest should be on how to rebuild the party,” Wike said.
Last Monday the Rivers State Government, through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, in a statement raise alarm over plans by the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC) to arrest top government and PDP official on trumped-up charges.
In the words of Dr Tam-George “the intention is to use the frivolous petition as a basis to conduct indiscriminate and unlawful arrest of PDP members and government officials”.
The Commissioner related how some security agents had gone to the premises of Caretaker Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area to arrest him. On failing to apprehend him the security agents arrested every person in the premises.
He therefore advised party chieftains and government officials to resist any arrest as it is aimed at destabilizing the party and put fear in the minds of the people.
Following the incidence that engulfed the University of Port Harcourt last Monday, the Rivers State, Government has called for dialogue between the school authorities and the student body. This follows the death of a final year student during a protest by students over fees hike in the university.
Speaking on the matter, Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, while receiving students under the banner of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), expressed regrets over the ugly incident. She assured that State Government was dialoguing with relevant authorities to resolve the matter.
The same view was held by the State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Princewill Ogbogbula who implored the students to sheathe their swords and embrace dialogue to find lasting solution to the matter.
The Commissioner for Youth Development faulted the Police for using force to quell the protest, while calling on the security agency to adopt more civil proactive measures to forestall such incident from happening again.
Last Thursday, Governor Wike commended the State Road Maintenance Agency for the rehabilitation of some portions of Aba Road and Azikiwe Road in Port Harcourt. He assured that his administration will ensure that all parts of the city, including federal roads are given a facelift.
Last Friday, Special Adviser to the governor on Special Projects, Mr Cyril Dum Wite inspected ongoing road projects at Rukpoku Eneka Road and Nkogu/NAAG Bridge, among others. He expressed satisfaction at the level of work at Rukpoku/Eneka Road.
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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