Politics
We’ll Resist Polls Rigging – Wike
While the 56th Independence anniversary dominated
activities in Government House penultimate week, the thanksgiving over coronation of Chief Mike Elechi in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area opened the week in Government House.
Chief of Staff, Engr. Emeka Woke who represented Governor Nyesom Wike at the Thanksgiving Service at Elele Town urged support for the Wike administration as more developments were on the trail.
On the same day Chief Wike and other top State Government officials attended a special crusade organised by the Deeper Life Christian Ministry in Rivers State tagged “Connected in Rivers” at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The governor used the Christian programme to call on the Federal Government to do more to arrest the economic recession. He however said the present economic downturn will not stop his administration from its current transformation drive in the State. “I can tell you that Rivers State will not see that problem. This State is a special State for God,” he assured.
After a break on the Monday holiday to mark the nation’s 56th Independence Anniversary, Governor Wike resumed his activities on commissioning projects and laying foundation for new ones. Last Tuesday, the governor in company of the new President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abubakar Mahmood, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), unveiled the ultra-modern NBA, Port Harcourt building sited in the heart of the Central Business District of the metropolis.
In his speech at the building inauguration ceremony, Chief Wike called on lawyers, to reciprocate government’s gesture by offering free legal services to indigent members of the pubic, to enable them have access to justice.
The NBA President described the event as, “the most pleasant event that I will be participating” adding that, “this edifice is a national edifice for the legal profession.”
Shortly after the NBA building was unveiled, the governor in company of top government functionaries and party bigwigs visited the site of the outgoing reclamation at Ogbunabali/Nkpogu waterfront to see the level of work.
The governor, last Wednesday, laid foundation for the construction of ultra-modern landing jetty for Bonny/Bille and Nembe Waterfront in the Town area of Port Harcourt. He addressed a huge crowd of residents and business people who were elated that the project will enhance transport and communication for the riverine communities.
Addressing the crowd, Chief Wike urged them to be vigilant and ensure that they fully participate in the upcoming rerun polls, while assuring the citizens that he would do everything to resist attempt to rig the polls, as they did in Edo State.
On the same day, the governor through a press statement felicitated with teachers in the State in commemoration of this year’s World Teachers Day. He described teachers as critical to his administration and restructuring of the education sector, as a tool for empowerment.
Also last Wednesday, the deputy governor, congratulated the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani on his 52nd birthday. Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo said Kobani has remained a leader and true representative of Ogoni people.
Chief Wike, last Thursday took a project site tour of the ongoing Port Harcourt Pleasure Park at Rumuola, Aba Road in the city. The governor returned back to the State on Friday, but on the early morning hours of Saturday led other State officials to stop officers of the Directorate of State Security and Police from forcing themselves into Judges Quarters in Port Harcourt. He was manhandled by the security agents.
On Saturday, Chief Wike flagged off the construction of Abua Road and later hosted Rivers United Football Club to a dinner.
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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