Politics
Amaechi Advocates Liberation Theology
Last week started in a worship mood as Governor
Chibuike Amaechi attended the induction of resident ministers at the Christ Church, Port Harcourt. The induction was conducted by the Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church Nigeria, Rev (Prof) Emule Mba Uka.
Shortly after the sermon, Governor Amaechi was invited to address the church during which he advocated what he called” Liberation Theology”. The Rivers State governor stressed that it was high time the church rose to the challenge of governance by seeking accountability from those governing the country.
He said,” until we get up and ask ourself the question what qualifies this man to steal our money … So currently, the church must rise to ask these questions”.
I think your grace, the preachers should start to preach the theology that will liberate us.”
Amaechi was speaking against the backdrop of revelations by the suspended Central Bank governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi over financial diversion in the nation’s coffers. He however, used the church service to announce plans by the state government to build a model primary school in the church premises.
Governor Amaechi played host to United Kingdom’s Minister for Africa, Marx Simmonds. While welcoming him to the state, the Rivers State Chief Executive urged the UK diplomat to support in the fight against oil theft. This, he believed, has become important, since the federal government has failed to tackle the menace head on.
On the other hand, Governor Amaechi observed that “our problem is not oil theft but financial diversion as revealed by CBN governor,” stressing that “48.8 billion dollars have been spent without appropriation”.
Worried over the decline of revenue allocation to states, Amaechi warned that if the situation persisted, many state would find it difficult to pay salaries of civil servants.
The governor took time off his busy schedules to inspect ongoing projects on Wednesday. He visited the Peter Odili, Woji/Akpajo link road and the new hospital at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu Port Harcourt.
On Thursday, the governor travelled to Ibadan to attend the National Progressives Governance Forum. The forum was billed to brainstorm and evolve new bluepint for the emerging progressives, as a way to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
Governor Amaechi who is also chairman of Nigeria’s Governors Forum (NGF) issued a press statement on Friday condemning the terrorist attack and killing of over 40 students of Federal Government College in Yobe. The NGF, also called on the Federal Government to beef security in the nation.
The Rivers State governor returned to the state on Saturday morning to attend the 70th birthday ceremony of chairman of the State Economic Advisory Committee, Prof Nimi Dimkpa Briggs at University of Port Harcourt.
Amaechi while eulogizing the professor of medicine, said he contributed immensely in stabilizing the state.
“When we came in, there was division in the state. It was PDP, PDP was in charge, there was no opposition party then. There were those who supported me, those who were supporting Austin Opara, those who supported Celestine Omehia and those who were supporting our former boss, Dr Peter Odili, and I knew that if we needed to conduct a credible election, we needed to put somebody who is credible”.
The governor had appointed Prof Briggs to head the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in 2008. The university don conducted the elections in April that was adjudged to be one of the best in recent times.
For his contributions, the governor said the state government would immortalize his name and thanked him for his support.
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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