Politics
PDP Berates APC Over Unfulfilled Promises
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that its major rival, the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government does not stand a chance in this year’s general elections due to its inability to fulfil the myriad of the promises made to Nigerians.
Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Rivers State, Darlington Orji, stated this during an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Orji stated that unlike the APC government at the center, the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike was given an opportunity to serve Rivers people and he has returned with a scorecard which would give him another chance to govern for another four years.
He said: “The Governor of Rivers State was given an opportunity to govern and based on that he is now going to ask the people for another opportunity and questions will be thrown at him.
“The one we gave to you what did you do? He will be able to present his scorecard to them. That is why we (PDP) are saying that in all the 23 local government areas of the state, we have something to show. Anyone project that has not been completed there is an ongoing project.
“So it is the people that will make the decision to select based on the scorecard and what they have seen on the ground. So also we are asking the APC if they are in the ballot, let them remove crisis and intimidation and allow the people to access them and ask questions.
“Why is the President running away from a public debate? What will he tell people? That he promised to make one Dollar to one Naira. When he was outside government he was speaking as if he has the magic wand.
“Today, he has been in government for over three years and he is still blaming the PDP. I have said that this election in 2019 will be a revolution between poverty and those that are eating with golden spoon. It is going to be between the blood of innocent Nigerians that are being killed on daily basis and those that believed that Nigeria, our territorial integrity can be protected.
“You said you have defeated Boko Haram. How, when our soldiers are dyeing daily in the North East? You say you are fighting corruption. What happened to the former Minister of Finance that was holding a forged document while in public office?’’
“What happened to the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the grass cutting deal running into several millions of Naira? What about the monies found in Ikoyi apartment? These are questions that Nigerians will ask?
“Why is Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje not being probed? He (the President) said you will bring down the price of fuel from N87 to N45. Instead you increase it to N145 per liter.
“If you want to lead us again no problem. It is not to say you must win. But you need to answer some questions within the period you have been in office have you fulfil the promises you made to Nigerians? Show your scorecard for Nigerians to access you,” Orji stated.
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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