Politics
A Harvest Of Projects As Gov Wike Bows Out Of Office
In apparent fulfilment of his promise to commission projects in Rivers State untill the final hours of his administration, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, in the last week of his eight years in office, inaugurated more developmental projects across the state as parting gifts to Rivers people.
Wike’s last minute commitment to the delivery of critical infrastructure swelled the litany of projects executed by the Governor.
Governor Wike’s knack for the execution of impactful projects in Rivers State had earlier earned him the sobriquet “ Mr Quality Projects” and a special recognition by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Some of the new projects inaugurated by Governor Wike during the past one week include, flagging off of seven units of five bedroom building residential quarters for Judges; Elele internal roads project in Ikwerre LGA; Police Tactical Operation Centre, Rumueprikom, Obio /Akpor Local Government Area; Opobo sand filling and land reclamation;
Others include the flagging off of Opobo internal ring road; flagging off of the new Federal High Court complex; and the flagging off of the Palace of the Eze Epara Rebisi (Paramount Ruler of Port Harcourt).
At the flagging off of the construction of a new Federal High Court complex at Old GRA in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Governor Wike said the project was part of numerous others already put in place by the Rivers State Government to ease the operations of the Judiciary, adding that residential quarters would be built by the Rivers State Government for Judges in the state.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Police Tactical Operation Centre on Friday, Governor Wike said his administration had always supported the Police and other security agencies to fight crime by providing the needed logistics.
He pointed out that fighting insecurity should not be the sole responsibility of Federal Government but requires the efforts of all tiers of government and the citizenry to combat crime to the barest minimum.
Addressing the people of Opobo/ Nkoro at Opobo Town, Gov Wike exhibited statesmanship and noble gesture as he gave a vivid reflection on how his administration had contented with the task of governance in the state for the past eight years. He expressed deep gratitude to God, and applauded the dogged commitment of his team, not forgetting the unflinching support and good will of Rivers people for the success stories of his administration.
Governor Wike who declared that he was leaving office a fulfilled man pointed out that the uncommon achievements recorded by his administration in projects delivery in virtually all parts of Rivers State had proven his critics wrong, noting that Rivers people were happy with his leadership which had consistently catered for the interests of the people.
Governor Wike also, during the week under review, laid the Foundation of Wigwe University, a private university in Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre LGA and also inaugurated the newly constructed University Teaching Hospital at PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Port Harcourt.
He commended the vision behind the establishment of the two private Universities , noting that it would promote educational development in Rivers State, and as such deserved the support of the state government.
Governor Wike also, within the week, attended two book launches and a public lecture in Port Harcourt as the State Executive Council held a special Valedictory Session before its formal dissolution by the Governor on Thursday.
Governor Wike thanked members of his Executive Council for their services and untiring contributions towards the development of Rivers State and wished them well in the their future endeavors.
The climax of activities held within the week was a State Awards and Pre Inauguration Dinner held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt on Saturday night during which prominent citizens of Rivers State were conferred with State Awards.
By: Taneh Beemene
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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