Politics
Amaechi Solicits Journalists’ Support Against Crime
Last week began on a birthday note. A day after visiting Bera Town in Gokana Local Government Area to celebrate with the State Commissioner for Works, Chief Victor Giadom on his 50th birthday. Governor Amaechi penultimate Sunday took part in the 40th birthday of former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Emmanuela Izunwa, held at the Gateway International Church, Elioparanwo. Other members of the State Executive Council were in attendance.
Governor Amaechi during the church service thanked the Izunwa family for being supportive of his administration and prayed God to reward them immensely.
On her part, the celebrant expressed appreciation to God for keeping her to celebrate her 40th birthday. She also thanked the Governor and other well wishers for celebrating with her, while especially lauding her husband for always being a bulwark to her.
On Tuesday, Governor Amaechi swore-in a substantive Chief Judge of the State, Justice Peter Agumagu. The swearing in came barely six hours after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt presided over by Justice Lambo Akanbi upheld the powers of the governor to appoint the Chief Judge following disagreement with recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).
Rt Hon Amaechi urged the new Chief Judge to jettison the bickering that arose from his appointment by treating all parties fairly. Not even the bishop is appointed without a contest, so I hope you will see what happens as a mere contest and treat everybody fairly,” he said.
The governor also commended the Federal High Court for helping “the state out of bondage,” reasoning that the court has shown that it could not be influenced in matters of such weight. He further called on those who want to manipulate the judiciary to eschew from such selfish motive.
On Wednesday, shortly after conducting unscheduled inspection of ongoing projects in the State, especially the Dr Peter Odili/Woji Akpajo By-pass, Rt Hon Amaechi proceeded to break ground and laid foundation for the new Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt.
The Rivers State governor used the occasion to challenge media workers to support government in the fight against crime and other social vices. “Journalists must work with us to send back these criminals back,” he said.
On the new Rivers NUJ Secretariat, Governor Amaechi disclosed that 100 per cent of the building fund has been released while expressing the hope that the contract will meet deadline.
Dignitaries who spoke at the foundation-laying ceremony include the State Commissioner for Information, National President of NUJ, Garba Mohammed, his counterpart in RATTAWU, Abel Yemisi, Vice President of Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eastern Zone, Mr Victor Agusiobo and State chairman of NUJ, Mr Opaka Dokubo.
Governor Amaechi was also at Ozuoha Town in Ikwerre Local Government Area to celebrate with former chairman of the council, Hon Kerian Wobodo on his 50th birthday.
Speaking at a special Church Service to mark Wobodo’s 50th birthday at St Michael’s Catholic Church, Ozuoha, Governor Amaechi averred that the former Ikwerre council boss contributed to his political success. He described as a very loyal political ally and associate.
Shortly after he returned from Ozuoha Town, Governor Amaechi hosted the Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Kanu Uche at Government House. Responding to the plaudits of the Methodist, the governor appreciate God’s role in his life and thanked the prelate.
On Friday, Governor Amaechi carried out unscheduled visit of project sites and later in he day held meeting with APC chieftains across the 23 local government areas of the state.
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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