Politics
Amaechi Bags Chieftaincy Title
Activities in Government House continued in its usual note with the governor attending to state functions during the week. Penultimate Friday, the governor flagged off the Port Harcourt International Fashion week.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi had welcomed the international models and stars who featured at the occasion in a cocktail and listed opportunities that abound in Rivers State in the culture industry.
Returning to the State on Tuesday, last week, Governor Chibuike Amaechi held an inter-governmental meeting during which policies and programmes of government were discussed.
But the peace being enjoyed in the state was disrupted on Tuesday afternoon by the Nigeria Police. It was learnt early on that day that the new Commissioner of Police, Mr Dan Bature, provided cover for Justice Daisy Okocha and other judges who broke into the High Court premises for a meeting.
Attempt by journalists, staff workers and the general public to know what was going on in the court premises which had been under lock and key, was met with stiff resistance as the police shot canister of tear gas to disperse them.
Later in the day, on Tuesday, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari addressed the Press on the development, saying it was a clear sign that the new commissioner of police was on assignment to destabilise the state.
She also described the police action as a precursor to plans by the police to provide security for six Assembly members to impeach Governor Amaechi, and therefore called on the Inspector General of Police, Abba Suleiman to call the police commissioner to order.
“We seek a non partisan, professional police in the state,” she said.
On Wednesday, the people of Emohua LGA paid a solidarity visit to the governor. They were led by chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the local government area, including Chief Andrew Uchendu, Hon Emmanuel Chinda and Vincent Uehendu. The group was received by the Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru.
After several speeches delivered at the reception held in Government House, Engr Ikuru said the Emohua people have through the visit affirmed that they have been liberated from deceitful politicians who have failed them.
The deputy governor thanked the people of Emohua for support to the Amaechi led administration, urging them to, “avoid any person who is coming to deceive you.”
Engr Tele Ikuru reiterated that APC is the party to beat in the State and the nation and lauded the people of Emohua for pitching tent with the party.
On Friday, Governor Ameachi was represented by the Chairman of Degema Local Government Area at the Independence Jumaat Service in Bori Camp, Port Harcourt. He enjoined Nigerians to be steadpast in making the nation great.
On Saturday, the governor visited Emohua Local Government Area. He was given the title of Eze Ogugu I of Emohua by Eze VC B Okor.
On his part, the governor promised to elevate the stool of the paramount ruler of Emohua to a first class. He also promised to expand the 3 – kilometer Rumua Lunde / Rumuche Road and lauded the people for their 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.
-
News2 days agoRSG Targets Nine Million Residents in Mosquito Net Distribution Campaign
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoAiyedatiwa Signs New Electricity Bill
-
Maritime2 days agoMarine Minister Commends President Tinubu On NPERA Bill Assent
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoNLNG Commissions Research And Innovation Centre In RSU
-
News2 days agoKenPoly Holds Eight Convocations, August 29
-
News2 days agoRSG Begins Another Phase of Projects Commissioning Today
-
News2 days agoRMAFC Completes Revenue Sharing Review, Proposes New Pay
-
Maritime2 days agoNAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Maritime Police Harassment