Politics
‘Two-Party System’ll Eradicate Rigging’
The National Chairman of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd.), has called for a two-party political system, saying “it will eliminate the rigging of elections”.
He made the call in an interview with newmen on Sunday in Abuja .
“A two-party system is the best for this country, because it kills politics of region, ethnicity and religion as we witnessed during the era of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC).
“Issues such as zoning will not come to play in a two-party system, because the system will be capable of producing the best candidates, irrespective of their heterogeneous political backgrounds,” Magashi said.
He said “the rigging elite” would not be able to perpetrate electoral sharp practices with the two-party system.
The former Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna said it was rather unfortunate the way most Nigerians clamour for political parties’ formation.
“They have been doing so because of their selfish interests which they have allowed to supersede the overall interests of the nation.
“There should be a limit to registration of parties, because some political parties are only out to bargain positions and collect money for the purpose of adopting one candidate or the other during elections,” he said.
Magashi said a two-party state would further ensure the supremacy of party over the party members who occupy positions.
He commended INEC for starting the process of de-listing some political parties, saying there is the need to build few political parties with ideological perspectives.
“This will further make people to contribute fervently to party development, thereby enhancing supremacy of party leadership above elected members.
“The idea of jumping from one political party to another whenever there are disagreements would also be eliminated.
“A number of politicians feel that, with their resources, they can jump to any party and will still make impact whenever there is a disagreement in the other party. This is wrong,” the DPP leader said.
On the 51st independence anniversary, Magashi said there was every need to celebrate it because it marked the day Nigeria was politically emancipated from colonial masters.
According to him, “the rallying point of our unity commenced from that day, hence we need to showcase a viable and elaborate celebration that will depict honour. For me, there is no better day like October 1 in Nigeria.
“What binds us together is unity in diversity and we know each one’s weaknesses and strengths, and that calls for the
celebration of this anniversary,” he said.
The DPP national chairman also challenged the political elite to exhibit patriotism through service to the nation, rather than propagating corruption which hinders national development.
“It is unfortunate that people who do not have anything doing can go to their enclaves and start creating mischief,” he said.
Magashi decried the level of value placed on money, saying it has made Nigerians to forget so many things which would have made them proud of their nation like US citizens.
“The love of money is so prevalent in our society, and it is difficult to effect a change because many people will not allow you to change the existing structure,” he said.
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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