Politics
Ruga Settlement, A Deception To Islamize Nigeria’ -Ex-Wike’s Aide
A public commentator and former aide to Rivers State Governor, Opunabo Inko-Tariah has said that the botched Ruga cow settlement programme by the Federal Government across Nigeria was a deception to Islamize the country.
This is coming barely 72 hours after the Rivers State Government rejected the Ruga Cow Settlement, where it was said that twelve states had signed into the programme.
Inko-Tariah said that it is unfortunate that the country was still being run like a domestic order where the President dishes orders like in the military.
He said, “It is a subterfuge. That is what it is. It is so sad that we are still seen as domestic colonies in the Federal Government, with the President at the top and dishing out orders as if we are still in the military.
“That is what is going on. He has never hidden his soft spots for the Fulani herdsmen. And he knows too well that he definitely going to address the conscience of Nigerians should he go ahead to say that he is doing this for the Fulani herdsmen.
“How many of us are involved in cattle grazing from the South? And if that is the case, you allow the states to dictate. They should know how to go about resolving this issue. They should come out with the panacea.
“It is not you the Federal Government to impose it on them. We are definitely going to resist it. Any state that has indicated interest has done so willingly. Well, that is the state.”
He said that Nigeria was not practicing federalism, saying the Ruga programme will only be effective to states that signed into it, especially those in the North.
“We ought to be practicing federalism, though we are not. If a state is comfortable with it and can afford it, no problem especially the states in the North.
“I believe they will be happy with this very idea. But for those of us in the South, and those of us in the East we are definitely going to be averse to it.
“Because what we rejected yesterday trying to Islamize Nigeria is what this man (the President) is trying to do through the back door. And we are definitely not going to accept it.
“Why so much emphasis on the cattle settlement? We have heard our own issues. We have heard oil exploration and exploitation, what has the federal government done?
“In the states where you have clashes, the state governors have the reservation to take any step they want to take. But in states where even if we have the clashes and the people are not comfortable with such a settlement you cannot impose it on them.
“For those states that have willingly accepted, we don’t have a problem with that. But for those states that are saying no, we don’t need herdsmen here. We have issues. Every state has its own priority.
“We will not stop the grazing, but if it becomes violent and a threat to Rivers people we will stop it by whatever means,” Inko-Tariah stated.
Dennis Naku
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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