Politics
Wike Clarifies Position On VP Ambition
Issues relating to the forth coming National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) billed to hold in Port Harcourt between 5th and 6th October 2018 took a centre stage last week in Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, clarified his position on speculations going round in some quarters that he was secretly harbouring ambition for the Vice President Position in the 2019 election, and that he also influenced choice of Port Harcourt as venue for the PDP National Convention.
Making the clarification, Thursday while speaking with “The Osasu Show” at Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor explained that though some presidential aspirants have offered him such position while consulting with him but that he had always objected to it.
He said the national Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, comes from the same state and geo-political zone, hence it would not be in the interest of Rivers State for him to seek that position.
“Not even in the dream will I seek that position at this point. I am a first term governor and the national chairman of PDP is from my state and the South South “, the governor said, adding that he would not do anything against the interest of Rivers State.
Commenting on the choice of Port Harcourt as venue for the national convention, Wike said the decision was initiated without his knowledge. He said he only attended a meeting where governors and presidential aspirants eventually ratified the resolution.
“But if they want, the national convention can be held at Maiduguri, Yola, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano or any other city. A presidential aspirant that would loose would loose”. He attributed the allegation to those he described as moles amongst the aspirants.
Governor Wike announced some mouth-watering cash prizes to participants and winners of the 2018 edition of the Chief Justice of Nigeria Sports competition during the opening ceremony of the competition, Wednesday, at the Sharks Football Stadium Port Harcourt.
He promised each of the participating teams the sum of N5 million and cash prize of N20 million to best term. To the teams that would emerge second and third, the Governor promised them N15 million and N10 million respectively.
Wike, who lauded the Judiciary for the sports competition, noted that apart from litigations for which the judiciary was known for, there was need for them to get involved in sporting events and other recreational activities.
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onoghen declared that Governor Wike was the best governor in terms of giving support to the Judiciary. The CJN, who was represented at the event by Justice Sidi Bage, while commending the governor, urged other states to emulate what he called “the wonderful example of Rivers State”.
At the opening ceremony, which saw Team Rivers loosing to Supreme Court Team, by a lone goal, the late Attorney-General of Rivers State, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) was given a posthumous award for outstanding support to National Judiciary Games.
During the week under review, the Brick House hosted the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and his Presidential Campaign Organisation on Thursday.
At the meeting, Gov Wike charged the National Assembly to pass the Electoral Act and that if Mr President objects to accenting to the Act, the Lawmakers should not pass the INEC budget. He said: “Once the Electoral Act is passed, if it is not assented to, I urge you people not to pass the INEC budget because INEC budget is based on the Electoral Act. I urged that these things must be taken together.
According to him, as leader of the National Assembly Saraki should do all he could for the Electoral Act to be passed.
Wike also called on PDP delegates from across the country not to elect a disparate person as the party’s presidential aspirant.
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.
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