Politics
Wike, Duke, Ovia Woo Investors
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike was among the 36 State governors who were in Abuja last weekend to receive President Muhammadu Buhari , who returned to the country after over three months in the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
Last Sunday, the governor was represented at the 50th birthday of former House Leader, Hon Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja.
Again, last Thursday, the governor alongside other governors attended a special meeting with the president to discuss the state of the nation and the economy.
However, it was the weeklong Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Lagos that took a huge chunk of time from the governor and other state officials, who used most part of the annual conference to showcase the business and economic potentials of Rivers State.
Former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke and veterian Banker Jim Ovia in one of the sessions at the NBA Conference spoke glowingly about business opportunities in Rivers State, as they urged investors to exploit the huge potentials that abound in the state. Speaking at the Special Session for Governors at the NBA conference through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Emma Aguma (SAN), Chief Wike observed that internal democracy within political parties will help strengthen and deepen Nigeria’s democracy.
The governor listed gains made in the improvement of justice delivery and security, saying the situation has compelled many companies who left to return to doing business in Rivers State.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, last Wednesday, condemned the escape of a ritual suspect from the police net. In a statement, the deputy governor said the police and other law enforcement agencies should step up their game and ensure that the fellow is rearrested and brought to justice without delay.
Last Monday, the Chief of Staff, Engr Emeka Woke played host to Ikwerre Elders and Chiefs. He assured them that the government will continue to carry out community based projects.
He said, “the governor is the governor of Rivers State and he will reach out to all ethnic groups in the state. So far the governor has done exceptionally well”.
Also last Monday, the deputy governor restated the commitment of the Rivers State government to fight and eliminate polio. Dr Harry-Banigo said every effort was being done to strengthen the Primary Health Services, outreach services and all other services.
She commended the efforts of Rotary International to eradicate polio in the past 30 years through their financial support advocacies, campaigns and countless volunteer hours which according to the governor have helped to check polio worldwide.
Returning on last Friday back to the state, Chief Wike met with PDP Stakeholders in Abua/Odual. On Saturday he addressed party members from Okrika and Ogu/Bolo.
At the meeting he held with stakeholders last Saturday with those from Okrika and Ogu/Bolo, Chief Wike reaffirmed his confidence in the judiciary despite last Thursday’s Appeal Court Judgement that went in favour of APC for the Rivers East Senatorial District.
He urged the people to be calm and always pursue their grievance in line with the law. In his part, Senator George Sekibo assured that PDP will bounce back.
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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