Politics
2011 LG Polls: Intrigues, Power Play In Rivers State
As the preparations for the 2011 elections gather momentum, political intrigues continue to play itself out in the political terrain of some of the local government areas in Rivers State.
Some of the local government areas where politicians have started to warm up to wrest power from the incumbent chairmen include Opobo/Nkoro, Eleme, Ikwerre, Tai, Emohua, Degema, Oyigbo and Obio-Akpor.
Several of the candidates on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are contesting. They are applying political intrigues to solicit support for their ambition to rule their respective local government councils, while others are searching for political relevance in their constituencies.
Again, with the end of the tenure of the present local government council chairmen gradually drawing to a close, primaries and nomination for PDP candidates would start soon to determine who takes over control of leadership at the third tier of the democratic governance.
This scenario has created political anxiety among candidates vying for one elective office or the other to control political power at the grassroots level in the state.
The intrigues continue to play out to the extent that some powerful political gladiators at the corridors of power and close associates of the various candidates are engaging themselves in power play to get party tickets.
Some individuals who are ready to circumvent the rules of existing political equation within the political structure of the grassroots politics of their local government areas seem to have their way politically. The political anxiety is further heightened by the need for some political leaders to jettison the prevailing political power sharing arrangements within their constituencies that tend to ensure fairness, equity and justice.
In Khana Local Government Area, for example, Barr. Patrick Igbara, a prominent politician from the area, said political offices especially the chairmanship slot rotates between two political blocs of Nyo-Khana and Ken-Khana/Babbe blocs.
Igbara said: “The current council’s chairman, Hon. Greg Nwidah is from Ken-Khana/Babbe political bloc, while two elected former council chairmen, Hon. Letam Korsi and Hon Legborsi Lee are from the Nyo-Khana political bloc.”
Mr. Patrick Igbara stated that “it is fair for the Ken-Khana/Babbe constituency to still retain the chairmanship slot for justice and equity to prevail in the area.”
But there are indications that candidates from the Nyo-Khana are determined to take over the control of the Khana council come 2011 local government elections.
A stalwart of PDP in Khana, Chief Promise Poronee of the Ken-khana/Babbe constituency was prepared to retain the council’s chairmanship slot despite what he said was the misguided PDP stakeholders resolution against the Ken-Khana/Babbe political bloc and the current council chairman, Hon. Greg Nwidam.
In his words, “the council chairmanship contest is a straight contest between the current chairman, Hon. Greg Nwidam and Mr. Dominic Pianen, Board member, Universal Basic Education (UBE), who has already indicated interest to contest.
In Gokana Local Government council, no person has emerged to challenge the current chairman, Hon. Victor Giadom.
However, a politician in the area, Hon. Lucky Baridam said the Gokana race was also a fierce contest between the Panumu bloc and Kibangha political bloc.
But Hon. Baridam said for now, the Kebangha political bloc was totally in control of the grassroots politics of Gokana and power.
It is believed that Hon. Victor Giadom has performed to the satisfaction of major Gokana political stakeholders and they observed that Giadom deserved a second term.
In Tai Local Government Area, there are also two political blocs, which are Tua-Tua and Nonwa political blocs.
Hon. John Aminikpo said the Tua Tua political bloc had dominated Tai political leadership positions over the Nonwa bloc.
Hon Aminikpo stated that the 2011 local government election promised to be a fierce battle as the Nonwa bloc was politically battle ready to take the chairmanship.
However, the current secretary of the council, Mr Gbenekanu Kuapie and Dr Batam Ndedgwe from Nonwa political bloc have both indicated interest to contest as the current chairman, Hon Barry Mpigi is serving his second term in office.
In Eleme Local Government Area, the power game is always between the Nchia and Odido blocs.
The current chairman, Hon Oji Ngofa from Nchia is interested in coming back for second term.
However, strong contenders have emerged to challenge Hon Oji Ngofa for the chairmanship slot.
Hon Sunny Ogbu, a former councillor added that Mr Chidi Chu, Hon Sylvanus Sanwi, all from Eteo have indicated interest to challenge Oji Ngofa for the council’s chairmanship position.
In Akuku Toru Local Government Area, 10 aspirants have emerged to wrest power from the current council chairman, Hon. Paul Awoyesuku.
The list include Hon. Theodore Georgewill, Chief Dr Owunari, Georgewill, Hon Otuka Georgewill, Hon Soberekon Clerk Georgewill, Hon Tonye Wellington Granville, Hon Asie Kala Otaji, Tonye Lolomari, Hon Iboroma Kitchner, member, House of Assembly is also interested in contesting the Akuku Toru local government council chairmanship position, and Isobo Jack.
Reliable sources indicated that it was the turn of Georgewill compound to produce the council chairman in the 2011 local government elections.
However, all the political intrigues are only expected to add colour to the emerging political senario in Rivers State.
Philip-Wuwu Okparaji
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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