Politics
Wike/Kingibe Rift: Call Minister To Order, FCT Women Tell Tinubu
Women from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have protested the alleged attacks on Senator Ireti Kingibe by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.
The women, who gathered at the Unity Fountain Arena in the Maitama District over the weekend, marched to the Presidential Villa, demanding that President Bola Tinubu ‘call Wike to order’ and stop the harassment of the senator.
The protest came amid rising political tensions in the FCT, where Senator Kingibe has been at odds with Chief Wike over issues of governance and representation.
Zainab Abubakar, leader of the group, said the women were standing up against the attacks because they believe in Senator Kingibe’s mandate to represent them.
In her words, “We have watched and listened with keen interest to the unprovoked constant attacks on our democratically elected representative at the Red Chamber, Senator Ireti Kingibe, by the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
“We object strongly to such onslaught, humiliation, and intimidation. Have we suddenly forgotten the importance of women in society and the need to respect them?
“We know how Wike has been fighting every leader in Rivers State, including those who groomed him in politics. Perhaps that is what he wants to do with our dear senator after she joined her colleagues in confirming his appointment as FCT Minister.
“We, the Concerned Women of FCT, Abuja, are therefore calling on all women in Abuja to rise against Wike’s antics because who knows who he will face in the FCT tomorrow?”
Ify Jacobs, a women coordinator from Bwari Area Council, said the conflict between the senator and the minister is affecting the city’s ability to thrive and urged Chief Wike to let Senator Kingibe do her job without unnecessary stress.
She said, “I am here today to register my displeasure about what’s going on concerning our distinguished senator and the FCT Minister.
“We need to say enough is enough. When two elephants fight, the grass suffers. The issue between our senator and the FCT Minister is affecting the city’s ability to thrive.
“I want to express that enough is enough. The FCT Minister should let our senator, whom we women came out to vote for, do her job without unnecessary stress.”
Blessing John, another protester and concerned woman from the FCT, said the attacks on Senator Kingibe are a slap in the face to the residents of the FCT and called on President Tinubu to address the issue.
According to her, “The conflict between the FCT Minister and the senator representing the city is very unfortunate and shouldn’t be happening at a time like this.
“We have had senators and ministers representing the FCT, and there has always been synergy. I wonder why we are having this issue now.
“I remember vividly when the senator first called out the ministers to address insecurity within the city. From then on, it became clear that there is no proper synergy between these two persons.
“It is very unfortunate because we need the minister and the senator to work together for the people of the FCT to enjoy the benefits of democracy.”
Senator Kingibe has been a vocal critic of the minister’s policies, which has led to a rift between the two.
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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