Politics
Unfulfilled Promises: Wike Slams APC
The heavy down power that caused flooding within Port Harcourt and its environs penultimate Sunday threw the curtains open in Government House last week. The state Chief Executive, Chief Nyesom Wike, moved by the plight of residents, defied the rain as he visited some parts of the metropolis in Government Reserved Area (GRA).
Moved by the devastation caused by the rain, Chief Wike assured citizens that government would do all in its power to tackle the menace. The Sole Administrator of the State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro Felix Obuah, also moved around parts of the city to see things for himself.
Obuah, while decrying the effects of the flooding, promised that RIWAMA would do all it can to desilt and clear up blocked drains. He urged the residents to display better sanitation habits by stopping the habit of dumping refuse in drains and building on waterways.
Last Monday, Bishops of the Anglican Communion led by Archbishop Ignatius Kattey of the Niger Delta Province visited Governor Wike in Government House. The Bishop, after the visit prayed for the Governor, the State and the citizens. The visit was part of induction ahead the Church General Synod slated for next month and which Chief Wike had been made a co-chair for the All Anglican Convention in Port Harcourt.
The governor has last Tuesday officially flagged –off the construction and rehabilitation of internal roads in Abuloma, Ozuboko, Fimie and Amadi- Ama. The roads totaled 28 and covers about 14.25km. They are expected to be completed in 6 months.
During the project flag-off, Chief Wike submitted that it was in fulfillment of electioneering campaign to the people of Ward 20 in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area. He used the occasion to carpet the opposition, which he said has failed Nigerains in fulfilling any of its electioneering promises in 2015.
Wike used the event to call on the residents to exhit good sanitation habits, blaming the flooding of last Sunday to attitude of many of the residents who dump refuse indiscriminately and others who build and block water path.
Last Wednesday, shortly after the foundation laying ceremony for the new Judges Quarters at Rumueme by the Chief Judge of the Federation, Justice Onoghen, Governor Wike played host to the President of the United World Wrestling, Fouad Meskout from Moroco in Government House. Meskout praised Nigeria for the numerous facilities on ground to host the world next year. On his part, Chief Wike assured the United World Wrestling President of Africa that Rivers State would do all in its powers to be the host of the world next year.
The second time visit of Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo,took the lead last Thursday. Despite efforts made by the opposition, Osinbajo took time after inaugurating the fertilizer plant at Indorama Petrochemical to unveil new road constructed by the Wike administration at Etche. Chokocho town was in a festive mood during the presidential visit.
Shortly after the Acting President inaugurated the Chokocho/Igbo Etche Road, Chief Wike also unveiled the Rumukpokwu/SARS Road, the Rumuokoro Park and Market, among other projects.
Last Friday was the turn of Ogbum-Nu Abali Community where Governor Wike unveiled various internal roads reconstructed and revamped by his administration, but before inaugurating the road, he hosted the Director-General of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Malam Yakubu Mohammed. The governor praised the NTA for its coverage and professionalism in disseminating information, while pledging to support the organisation to attain greater heights.
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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