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Nigeria Is In Coma -Wike …Decries FG’s Refusal To Release N60bn Fund For Bonny-Bodo Road …Says Only PDP Can Salvage Nation
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that Nigeria is in coma, saying that only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can salvage the country.
Wike’s declaration is coming on the heels of former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido’s assertion that he has the capacity to revive the fortunes of the country.
They spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, when the former Jigawa State governor visited to inform Wike of his intention to vie for the position of the President.
Wike said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a party of strangers with no knowledge of the intricacies of development.
He said that the APC thrives in politics of mischief wherein it engages in high level intimidation, corruption and dirty political schemes to compel defection of PDP members to her fold.
“If you decamp to the APC, you are no longer corrupt. APC is a party of daylight deceit.
“I am happy that one of those who left to bring a messiah, has realised that the so-called messiah they brought is no longer the messiah Nigerians expect. PDP is the only hope for Nigeria”, Wike said.
The governor noted that though the PDP made mistakes in the past, the party was the only platform with the commitment and patriotism to take the country out of the current situation.
He said the present political and economic situation in the country requires politicians with courage to rescue the country.
Wike said those who benefited from the PDP since inception till 2013 before defecting were the same people sponsoring negative propaganda against the party.
The governor described Lamido as a committed and consistent PDP member who was courageous and has the capacity to confront the APC.
He, however, urged all presidential aspirants to accept the verdict of the party at the end of the primary.
Also speaking, former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido said he was presenting himself to take over in 2019 because the nation deserves to move forward.
He said that if given the opportunity to lead Nigeria, he has the capacity to unite Nigeria and set it on the path of growth.
Lamido said: “I want to run because I feel I can do it. I have the pedigree. We stand to fight for democracy and the restoration of Nigeria”.
He said that he will work with other PDP leaders to transform Nigeria for the good of the people.
The former Jigawa State governor said that the APC is a party of hate and deceit; hence, it should be sacked in 2019.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has berated the Federal Government for failing to release her counterpart fund of N60billion for the execution of the Bonny-Bodo Road project.
Speaking when he granted audience to the management of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, the governor said that the inability of the Federal Government to treat all sections of the country fairly was generating tension.
He said that Bonny and the adjoining towns produce a great percentage of the country’s wealth, yet they have been denied quality road infrastructure.
Wike said: “We produce the oil that makes Nigeria to survive, yet the road leading to Bonny Island is a source of politics.
“The failure of the Federal Government to release her counterpart fund for the Bodo-Bonny Road has made it difficult for major construction work to begin.”
The governor stated that the recourse to the piecemeal annual budgeting process would stall the project, and charged the Federal Government to take funds from the Excess Crude Account to pay her counterpart fund.
He said the Federal Government did same thing on the Ogoni clean-up, which has been abandoned, emphasising that by March, the Federal Government was likely to start propaganda on that project.
The governor charged the NLNG to improve on its corporate social responsibility to her host communities, insisting that such investments should also accommodate Omoku and Kalabari communities, which supply gas to the NLNG in Bonny.
He commended the NLNG for the construction of their head office in Port Harcourt, and challenged all oil companies that have not complied with the Federal Government directive to immediately domicile and relocate their headquarters to the Niger Delta.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of NLNG, Mr Tony Attah informed the Rivers State governor that the Train 7 of the NLNG will become a reality in 2018.
He said that the work on the project will be flagged off by the Rivers State governor.
The managing director stated that work has reached advanced stage on the construction of the headquarters of the NLNG in Port Harcourt.
In a related development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it represents the true coalition of Nigerians from across the country.
It stated this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja.
It said that its experience in governance and successful rebound from challenges had provided it an edge over every other existing or intended political platforms in the country.
It also faulted claims by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, that PDP procure judgment from the Supreme Court, describing it as “unsubstantiated claims.’’
“Obasanjo’s claim on procurement of judgment amounts to an ill-intended attempt to impugn the integrity of the Supreme Court, particularly when such a claim is false and not predicated on any empirical proof.’’
The party said that the ruling of the Supreme Court, which ended the protracted internal feud within its fold reinforced Nigerians confidence in it.
“Rather than detract, the judgment reinforced the confidence of Nigerians in the PDP as the platform that truly embodies the resilience of a genuine democratic process in the face of daunting challenges.
“Even the worst critics of PDP concede that the judgment of the Supreme Court, was unprejudiced, uninfluenced and determined completely on merit, for which it was applauded in Nigeria and across the world.’’
It added that its December, 2017 elective National Convention was conducted in a transparent, free and fair manner, and where nobody was “kingmaker”.
“This denotes the democratic credential of the repositioned PDP to deliver credible primaries that would yield a presidential candidate Nigerians desire.’’
The party said that there was an extensive dissimilarity between it and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Unlike the APC, where very few individuals from within a circle control the instrument of power and governance, the PDP remains that egalitarian platform.
“PDP remains that egalitarian platform where all Nigerians are free to express themselves, politically engage and freely aspire for any office without regard to divisive considerations.’’
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.