Politics
Group Condemns Candidates’ Imposition In Bayelsa
Peeved by the imposition of candidates in the concluded primaries in Bayelsa State, a non-partisan group, G24 Embasara Foundation, has raised an alarm over the practice, particularly as most candidates were allegedly forced on the people by godfathers.
The practice, according to them, would continue to weaken democracy, as the choice of the people is often subverted to allow for mediocrity.
Contained in a statement by Co-conveners, Iniruo Wills and Geoffrey Kwale, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Denzel Kentebe and Lead, Media Committee, Ayakeme Whiskey the group said the alleged imposition led to the exclusion of other aspirants, thus depriving Bayelsa people the benefit of a robust engagement.
The foundation frowned on indiscriminate, lawless and unfair practice where during the conduct of party primaries by some political parties, delegates of well-favoured aspirants were reportedly given preferential treatment over and above other delegates, thus breeding distrust, rancour and acrimony among hitherto loyal party men and women.
The group said, “We note that the gale of defection sweeping across the two dominant parties in the state lately is perhaps not unconnected with the growing number of disgruntled party faithful who have been denied their legitimate right to participate in primaries free from manipulation, imposition, harassment and intimidation.
“It is particularly irksome that whereas political parties raked in hundreds of millions of naira from aspirants, some of whom perhaps had to sell personal effects to be able to purchase the exorbitant nomination and intent forms, the parties on their part, failed to provide the required level-playing field to test their popularity.
“Since the Independent National Electoral Commission is by law empowered to supervise party primaries and ensure strict compliance with approved prudential guidelines and extant laws, the commission must share in the blame and take responsibility for ensuring that future primaries are well monitored.”
The foundation noted that as the political tempo heightened, it was calling on the Bayelsa State Government and the Bayelsa State Police Command to swing into action and play the role of an impartial arbiter by creating the enabling environment for the smooth conduct of election that would not only be credible, but free and fair.
It noted that with the open rascality, and non-adherence to the rule of law during the primaries, the foundation of the 2019 elections was already greatly weakened.
The group added, “We are equally shocked at the fewer number of female aspirants offering themselves for elective offices going by the INEC list even when nomination forms were offered freely to female contenders.
“The global trend is that more and more women are beginning to take active interest in political leadership and Bayelsa cannot afford to be an exception.
“We note that economic prosperity and sustainable development of the state can only come about when the right candidates, not the right parties, are voted into power.
“We strongly advocate that emergent political leaders must commit to abide by a code of good governance stipulating minimum thresholds of service delivery and quality assurance.
“Those political gladiators whose stock in trade is to hold the political economy and convert the commonwealth to their private estate should be ready for disgrace as they would be shown the way out.
To this end, the Group urged the youths to be wary of politicians out there bent on using them as political thugs and abandon them when they get into power.
By: Austin Pade, Yenagoa
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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