Politics
Wike Vows To Defend Rivers Interest
There was no lull in Government House activities last week, even as the governor was outside the state for a few days. Penultimate week, the governor, Chief Nyesom Wike was at Etche to thank the people for their support in giving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) victory in the National and State Assembly supplementary elections.
The governor, before the visit to Etche had visited Emohua Local Government Area and was hosted by a PDP stalwart and socialite, Emmanuel Nda. He had equally attended the burial of Late Mrs Catherine Onuchukwu, mother of Prof. Onuchukwu at Saint Luke’s Anglican Church, Emohua.
In a statement on Tuesday, Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo tasked corporate organisations, and non-governmental organisations across the world to reflect on the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day. She regretted that since the celebration began well over a century ago, women were yet to have equal opportunity with their male counterpart in business or politics. Reasoning that violence against women has grown work than men over the years, the deputy governor stressed the need for gender parity.
On the same Tuesday, the governor through his media aide, congratulated the new Tor Tiv, His Majesty Orchivirigh Prof. James Ayatse on his successful coronation as Tor Tiv V.
Chief Wike stated that he was confident that the new Tiv traditional ruler will bring his wealth of experience as a successful administrator and academic to bear on the development efforts of the Tiv nation.
As part of activities to mark the International Women’s Day on Wednesday, Governor Wike reiterated that his administration will be woman-friendly. He assured that women will always feature prominently in the creation of a NEW Rivers State.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the contributions of women to the growth of the state. He also felicitated with women across the globe for their roles in the promotion of peace, development and societal stability.
The deputy governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, in a meeting with Executive Committee on Public Enlightenment of Rivers State Contributing Health Protection Programme and the Reformed Traders Association of Nigeria (RTA) on Wednesday, said the newly mooted State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) would provide the people of the state and residents with access to affordable and efficient health care services.
Returning on Thursday morning to the state, Chief Wike commenced official duties as he visited sites of ongoing projects at the pleasure park and the Ecumenical Centre all in Port Harcourt.
The governor on Friday played host to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the newly established 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Government House.
The GOC of 6 Division, Maj-Gen Innobong Udoh said his visit was to intimate the governor of the establishment and operations of the new division, which covers Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa States.
Maj-Gen. Udoh said the division is yet to be fully established as accommodation and other logistics challenges have not been fully tackled. However, he assured the governor that its operations will be professional and protective of Rivers State.
The governor later on Friday received Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide led by its president, Prof. Simeon Achinewhue, Chief Wike said Nigeria belongs to everybody and therefore nothing will make him to stop defending Rivers State and its interest.
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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