Politics
Wike Hails Secondus, Speaker
Last week, which happened to be the last week of the year 2017 was dorminated by Church activities in Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.
Events kicked off with Thanksgiving Service at Ecumenical Centre, Port Harcourt in honour of the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus who hails from the state.
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who hosted PDP Governors and major stakeholders in the service restated that PDP governors and well-meaning stakeholders testified that the election that brought Secondus was transparent.
He lauded the PDP chairman for not allowing himself to be swayed by money or other baits as a party leader who stands for the success of the party, inspite of challenges.
While Secondus promised to lead the party to victory in 2019 election, the governors and other heavy weights commended him and assured him of their support.
In a similar vein, Wike also attended the 50th birthday and election victory thanksgiving service of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ikunyi-Owaji Ibani at Saint James Anglican Church, Ataba in Andoni Local Government. He described the Speaker as one who exhibits exemplary leadership qualities in the discharge of his responsibilities.
Wike commended Ibani for his worthy contributions to the development of Rivers State.
Last Monday which was the Christmas day, the Governor in his message to the people of the state urged Christians to use this year’s Christmas to promote love, friendship, peace and reconciliation.
He challenged Rivers people to use the Yuletide to erect platform of love for the greater development of the state.
Another crucial event in Brick House was the reception of hundreds of APC decampees from Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area to PDP.
Chairman of APC Caucus in Opobo-Nkoro, Arthur Jaja said Wike’s sterling qualities gave impetus to their defection.
The governor who received the decampees in company of the party chairman in the state, Bro Felix Obuah and other stakeholders commended the decampees for coming to PDP, assuring them of equal opportunities with old PDP members.
Wike who noted that APC is deceiving Nigerians, challenged the party to show federal projects executed in the state, stressing that inspite of the harsh economy which made Federal Government and APC-controlled states not to deliver projects, Rivers State has been flourishing with projects.
Conferrment of awards on Wike remains ceaseless as Uzugbani Ekpeye, last Saturday, honoured him with an award of excellence, in appreciation of his good governance.
Speaking at the award ceremony in Ahoada, Wike said the honour would spur him to do more and advised politicians in the area to work in unity and in the interest of the area.
He announced the official flag off of the reconstruction of Western Ahoada County High School on January 4, 2018. He said the kingdom supported him in 2015 governorship election and that his administration will continue to execute projects in the area.
In a similar manner, Wakirike Ethnic Nationality endorsed Wike for a second term, saying that he has treated them fairly through projects execution and appointment.
Chairman of Okrika Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Sunday Kalaowolo who spoke on behalf of the nationality said, “As the political drum beat starts in 2018, we the Wakirike people under God, ask you to run for a second term in office.
“We will lay down our lives, not only to vote for you, but to defend our votes. All Okrikans are solidly behind you”.
Wike commended them and assured them of continued projects in the area. He elevated the Amayanabo of Ogoloma to first class status, while Amayanabo of Okrika Town elevated to second class. He also recognise Amayanabo of Okochiri King Ateke Michael Tom as second class traditional stool.
On Boxing Day, Wike inspected ongoing projects in the state and told traders at Mile 1 Market that his administration is in a haste to complete reconstruction of the market as soon as possible.
He noted that the step would check street trading which poses dangers to them and urged them to remain patient.
The governor also met Bolo people of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area who also endorsed him for a second term. They tied their decision to Wike’s good governance.
Wike, at the function which held in Brick House and attended by Senator Thompson Sekibo, former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo and other traditional and political leaders from the area, commended them and upgraded Amayanabo of Bolo stool, to second class.
Chris Oluoh
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.
-
News2 days agoRSG Targets Nine Million Residents in Mosquito Net Distribution Campaign
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoAiyedatiwa Signs New Electricity Bill
-
Maritime2 days agoMarine Minister Commends President Tinubu On NPERA Bill Assent
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoNLNG Commissions Research And Innovation Centre In RSU
-
News2 days agoKenPoly Holds Eight Convocations, August 29
-
News2 days agoRMAFC Completes Revenue Sharing Review, Proposes New Pay
-
News2 days agoRSG Begins Another Phase of Projects Commissioning Today
-
Maritime2 days agoNAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Maritime Police Harassment