Politics
Wike Canvasses Peace, Unity
The independence anniversary took the shine off other
activities in Government House last week. Penultimate Sunday, a week-long programme of activities to herald the nation’s 56th Independence anniversary had been lined-up beginning with a church thanksgiving at St Cyprain’s Anglican Church, Moscow Road in Port Harcourt.
At the church service to mark the occasion, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike canvassed concerted effort towards resolving the nation’s challenges.
He assumed that his administration has already established a framework to shield Rivers people from the negative impact of the current economic recession. Part of the scheme, he explained is to sustain ongoing developmental projects and to pay workers salaries.
Last Monday, Rivers State First lady, Justice Suzzette Wike, after being conferred the title of the “Nutrition Advocate” by stakeholders at a two-day summit organized by the Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in conjunction with United Nations/International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), said Nigeria has the highest number of stunted children. She said her campaign against malnutrition will be taken to schools so as to enlighten parents and families on the need to feed their wards properly.
Justice Suzzette further disclosed that a new strategy, to develop a functional nutrition policy will be championed to improve the health of the citizens.
Governor Wike also inaugurated the State Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy on Wednesday. The body is headed by the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the State, Emmanuel Aguma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The nine-man committee is expected to recommend to the State governor those who merit the government’s annual jail delivery exercise.
Last Tuesday, the governor unveiled the Ozuoba – Rumuosi road in Obio/Akpor local government area. The commissioning of the reconstructed road was done by the immediate past governor of Jigawa State, Dr Sule Lamido. The Jigawa ex-governor praised Wike’s developmental effort, saying the opposition should borrow a leaf from the Rivers governor on how to manage loan resources.
To further accentuate his developmental plans, Wike had last Monday hinted of his plan to build new modern housing project at the newly reclaimed Nkpogu/Ogbunabali Waterfront.
Ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio and the current Senate Minority Leader was in the State last Wednesday, to unveil a federal road reconstructed by the Wike-led administration at Etche local government area. The six kilometre Igwuruta/Chokocho road elicited joy and celebration among the indigenes of the area.
Akpabio congratulated Governor Wike for being a transformational leader. On his part, Chief Wike observed that he is emulating Senator Akpabio, adding that, “I will never play politics with the construction of roads in the state. I will never make promises that I will not fulfill.”
Last Thursday, Governor Wike played host to United Kingdom’s Minister for Africa, Foreign and Commonwealth office, Mr Tobias Ellwood in company of British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwught. He assured them of the states readiness to partner in developing agriculture and health.
Shortly after the visit, Wike flew to Bodo in Gokana local government area to flag-off the construction of Bodo/Kpobia Road. He berated politicians in the last administration who abandoned the project and put suffering in their communities. He assured that the road will be delivered in three months.
As part of activities to commemorate the 56th Independence anniversary last Friday, Wike advocated for peace and unity amongst Nigerians, saying the nation needs all the effort of citizens to pull it out of the roads.
Last Saturday, the governor and other to state officials attended a special match past parade for the 56th anniversary. The event was camped with a cocktail and dinner later in the day.
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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