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Rivers PDP Tackles Oshiomhole …Over Comments On Wike …BoT Assures Of Edo Poll Victory
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, has described Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, as a drowning politician who is seriously worried that his All Progressives Congress (APC) will lose the governorship elections in the State.
The Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Sam Nwanosike, who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, said Oshiomhole dramatised his frustration with his recent unsubstantiated allegations that Governor Nyesom Wike had mobilised militants to storm the guber elections in Edo State that was postponed.
Nwanosike further dismissed as tissues of lies allegations by the Edo State governor that Wike and his Delta State counterpart, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, doled out N2billion for the PDP’s guber candidate in Edo State.
He said the people of Edo State had made it clear to Nigerians that they were done with the APC because of the level of deceit, propaganda and lack of performance.
“As a political party, the PDP has no business with militancy. When a man is drowning, he looks for everything to hold on to. Oshiomhole first said 8,000 militants were registered, later, he switched, saying N2billion was given to PDP.
“We don’t have any business asking our members to go and support our candidate in Edo State because we have enough supporters in Edo State, Pastor Ize-Iyamu has all the support.
“They have tried to use security to disorganise Ize-Iyamu, they failed. They denied Ize-Iyamu use of the stadium for his campaign, the people still went with him. You saw the people with him. Oshiomhole knows he will lose the election. He is just looking for soft landing, when he loses the election,” Nwanosike stressed.
The PDP’s rising star said that members of the party in Rivers State were responsible people with no link with miscreants.
He further lauded Wike for his amnesty programme, saying it will rehabilitate and reintegrate repentant militant youth in the state.
“We believe as a government, that the youth should be given good livelihood,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Sen.Walid Jibrin, said, yesterday, that postponement of governorship election in Edo State would not affect the party’s victory.
He stated this while speaking with newsmen in his home in Nasarawa, Nasarawa State.
It would be recalled that the IndependentNational Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the Edo poll from September 10 to September 28 on the advice of security agencies over alleged security threat.
Jibrin said that PDP would win the election on the rescheduled date, and urged the party’s supporters and electorate not to be deterred by the postponement.
He urged them to remain loyal and sustain their confidence in the party.
“Whatever led to the postponement of the election cannot stop the rainy days; what God has planned has already been planned and no man can change the outcome.
“With what we have seen on ground and by all signs we have seen, whether the Edo State governorship election has been postponed 10 times or 20 times, PDP will still win the election.
“We are going to win that election and there is no doubt about it.
“So, we have no quarrel with anybody shifting the election; it is good for us and we are still on ground because what God has planned has been planned.
“I want to call on our party supporters and other electorate not to be deterred by the postponement but to remain united and vote PDP in order to enjoy the much-needed dividends of democracy,’’ he said.
Jibrin said that the party was resolving its internal crisis amicably without fighting and quarrelling so as to make the party stronger.
“The BoT and other stakeholders of the party are working tirelessly to bring back and unite all the aggrieved members so as to make the party stronger as well as to enable it win all positions in future elections,’’ he added.
He also assured the members that the party would provide a level-playing ground to those aspiring for positions to realise their ambitions.
The BoT chairman urged Nigerians, especially youths, to be law-abiding, respect constituted authority and live in peace, tolerating one another irrespective of ethnic, religion and political affiliations.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.