Politics
Monarch Lauds Wike’s Issue-Based Campaign
A traditional ruler in Rivers State, Eze Christopher Wonodi has commended Governor Nyesom Wike for advocating an issue-based campaign for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), ahead of the general elections.
Wonodi, who is the Eze Mbam Abali X11/Eze Risiohia in Rebisi, Port Harcourt made the commendation in an exclusive interview with The Tide shortly after addressing some youths of the area to mark the end of year activities in Port Harcourt.
He said he was happy when he had the governor talk about issues-based campaigns, saying politics has been with us for a long time, but the way it is being practiced in Nigeria is funny, “I therefore commend the Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike for dedicating the campaigns of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to God and for advocating a campaign based on issues.
“There is no need using abusive languages during campaigns because such comments heat up the polity and cause crisis. It is high time to begin to look at issues like the governor said and I support him 100 per cent that the PDP campaigns must be based on issues,” the royal father said.
He expressed the hope that if issues take the centre stage there will be less fighting or insults, even as he called on other political parties to be guided by the example of the governor so as to help create a peaceful atmosphere for elections in the state.
On his message to Rivers youths, especially those from Rebisi he urged them to continue to be peaceful and resolute for what is right and desist from doing the bidding of self-seeking politicians.
“My message to the youths of Rebisi and Rivers State as a whole is that they should continue to be peaceful and resolute in truth and have faith in the Almighty God who makes all things possible. I know that this New Year will be better than the previous year.
“Elections are good as far as I am concerned because it affords the people the opportunity to make choices. If there are no elections it means we will remain or die in perpetuity. Therefore we should use the opportunity to make informed choices for ourselves.
“The youths should be guided in all their activities because as future leaders they should know that if this country is good it is in their interest and if it bad it is bad for them. They should begin to think of what tomorrow holds by staying focus and peaceful at all times because it may be their time to lead tomorrow,” the monarch advised.
Eze Wonodi further said that, “The ultimate end for those who involved themselves in thuggery, violence and belonging to armed gangs is death. So if one has been destined to be president or governor and the person dies, today, will that person achieve that feat again?
Most of the politicians today where as young as them several years back. So they should also prepare themselves for leadership positions by doing what is right”, he stated.
Dennis Naku
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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