By Our Correspondent
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has restored four previously suppressed State House of Assembly constituencies in Delta and Kogi States, in compliance with court judgments directing their reinstatement.

Announcing the development yesterday , the commission said the restoration affects three constituencies in Delta State and one in Kogi State.

The restored constituencies are: Abraka State Constituency, Isoko North II State Constituency, and Ughelli South II State Constituency in Delta State, and Yagba West II State Constituency in Kogi State.

The commission said the decision follows judgments of the courts which directed the restoration of the additional constituencies in the two states.

INEC has fixed August 21 to August 25, 2026, for the conduct of party primaries in the restored constituencies.

The same period will also cover primaries for bye-elections to fill recent vacancies in other constituencies. These include Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State, Disina and Sakawa State Constituencies of Bauchi State, Udu State Constituency of Delta State, and Dawakin Kudu State Constituency of Kano State.

Elections into all the affected constituencies have been scheduled for September 19, 2026.

The commission clarified that for the avoidance of doubt, all other timelines and activities contained in the already published revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election shall apply to the restored constituencies.

Political parties have been requested to submit notices of their various primaries to the commission ahead of the scheduled dates.

National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who signed the statement, said the restoration was necessary to give full effect to the judgments of the courts and to ensure representation for the affected communities.

He reiterated that the commission remains committed to ensuring credible, inclusive, and transparent electoral processes.

With the restoration, the number of State House of Assembly seats to be contested in the affected states will increase, while voters in Abraka, Isoko North II, Ughelli South II, and Yagba West II will now participate in electing representatives into their respective state legislatures.

The development brings to an end years of legal battles by stakeholders in the affected areas who had challenged their previous exclusion from having separate constituencies.

By David Owei

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, is set to begin commissioning several projects delivered by his administration just six months after returning to Government House.

Despite a six‑month state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu and the prolonged political crisis between the Governor and his predecessor and benefactor, Nyesom Wike, that only came to an end recently, the governor has been able to complete some major projects in the state.

Some of the projects billed for inauguration include: Neuro‑psychiatric Hospital and New General Hospital, Rumuigbo in Obio/Akpor LGA, which are to be commissioned on Friday, August 28, 2026.

Others are: Buguma–Degema–Abonnema Road, Asari/Toru/ Akuku‑Toru LGAs; Egwi–Afara–Mba Road, Etche LGA; Omademe internal roads, Omademe, Ikwerre LGA; and new Air Force Base runway, Port Harcourt LGA. The commissioning exercise is expected to span from.

Many of the projects are regarded as people‑oriented and are expected to transform the living standards of citizens and position the state for economic growth.

Secretary to the State Government, (SSG)
Dagogo Wokoma, at a press conference on Friday at the Government House that said that Governor Fubara will be commissioning projects across the state throughout the remaining days of August.

Wokoma said the commissioning, which will see the governor traverse the three senatorial districts in the state, will run from Monday, August 17, 2026, to Monday, August 31, 2026.

Wokoma said, “These projects scheduled for commissioning are tangible evidence of His Excellency’s unwavering dedication to transform our communities and address the developmental needs of our people.

“They underscore the administration’s determination to ensure that governance translates into meaningful and measurable benefits for every citizen across the 23 local government areas of the state.”

He added, “As we prepare for these historic events, we acknowledge the dedication and contributions of government officials, contractors, host communities, and other stakeholders whose collective efforts have made these achievements possible.

“We invite all Rivers people to join in celebrating these milestones and to continue supporting the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as it advances peace, development, progress, and prosperity.

“Together, we will continue to build a Rivers State where development reaches every community and every citizen has the opportunity to thrive”,

By George Mgbeleke

‎ Anxiety has heightened in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election following the reported presence of groups of young men at some strategic hotels and locations across the city.

This is even as Police officers drawn from different parts of the country are assembling at INEC state headquarters to finalize preparation on how to counter plans by thugs of any political party or candidate to disrupt the smooth conduct of the election.

Efforts by our correspondent to speak to INEC REC, Commissioner of Police or his PPRO as at the time of filling this report failed as the were said to be too busy to talk to the Press.
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Meanwhile, eye-witness account who moved around parts of Osogbo in the course of monitoring preparations for the election observed groups of young men congregating at some hotels and other strategic locations.
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‎However, the identities, affiliations and purpose of the groups could not be independently established as of the time of filing this report.
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‎The development has nevertheless generated security concerns amid fears that political thugs, cult groups or other criminal elements could exploit the election period to mobilise or cause disturbances.
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‎Residents who spoke to correspondent expressed mixed reactions, with some urging security agencies to intensify surveillance and intelligence gathering across the state capital.
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‎They called on the authorities to identify suspicious gatherings and prevent any attempt to use hotels or other locations as bases for electoral violence, intimidation or disruption of the voting process.
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‎Security experts and stakeholders have consistently emphasised the need for intelligence-led policing during elections, particularly in areas identified as potential flashpoints.
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‎As voters prepare to exercise their franchise, security agencies are expected to maintain a visible presence while also gathering intelligence on movements that could threaten public safety.
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‎The presence of unidentified groups, therefore, warrants careful investigation rather than assumptions about their identities or intentions.
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‎With the election only hours away, residents and stakeholders are calling for heightened vigilance, urging security agencies to protect voters, election officials and electoral materials throughout the exercise.
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‎The priority, observers said, should be to ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot freely and safely without intimidation or violence.