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2019: We ’ll Support Atiku To Victory, Wike Declares …Says Nigerians ’ll Die Of Hunger If APC Returns …As RSG Holds Successful PDP Convention Thanksgiving
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that he will wholeheartedly support PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to electoral victory in 2019.
Speaking at the Government House Port Harcourt yesterday during a special thanksgiving service for the successful hosting of 2018 PDP National Convention, Wike declared that at the convention, he promoted the candidature of Sokoto State Governor, Rt Hon Aminu Tambuwal , but accepted the choice of the party as the way forward.
He said: “I supported the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal fully. I have no regrets for my support for Tambuwal.
“But the party has made a choice and as a loyal party man, I stand by the choice of the party. I will support His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar to victory in 2019. That is what is called party loyalty “, he said.
Wike stated that APC is a hopeless party that has failed Nigeria, pointing out that all Nigerians must work diligently towards sacking the Buhari administration.
“We must put our heads together to ensure that this bad government is sacked. We must ensure that this bad government goes in 2019.
“If this same government returns in 2019, then Nigerians are digging their graves. The suffering now will be a child’s play. That is why we must work for the good of our people”, he said.
He said after the Special Thanksgiving Service, all Nigerians must head to the fields to work for the victory of the PDP in 2019.
The governor noted that the PDP will win in Rivers State despite the evil machinations of the APC Federal Government. He said that he will complete his mission in Rivers State through a resounding victory in 2019.
On the successful hosting of the National Convention, Governor Wike noted that he stood his ground because of the economy of Rivers State and the fact that Rivers State remains the home of PDP since 1999.
“Rivers State has made PDP proud and we shall continue to make PDP proud. God lives in Rivers State “, he said.
He reiterated that PDP is alive today because of the kind of National Chairman that emerged in the person of Prince Uche Secondus.
PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus called on Nigerians to work towards taking back the country from the brink of destruction.
He said: “Let us take back our country from destruction. Everything about this country has collapsed “.
He noted that after the National Convention, the party leadership has been involved in fence mending to bring all groups to platform to work for the victory of the PDP in 2019.
He said that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is the best candidate to drive the country to growth and prosperity.
“APC will be finally buried in February 2019”, he said.
Secondus thanked the Government and people of Rivers State for hosting the most successful convention in the history of Nigerian Party politics.
He charged the security agencies and INEC to work towards free and fair elections in 2019, saying that the plot by the APC Federal Government to rig will be resisted.
In a sermon, Apostle Zilly Aggrey said that the PDP is right to thank God for the successful hosting of the National Convention, noting that it is a platform for greater success.
Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah said despite the obstacles, God ensured that the National Convention is the best ever.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike yesterday declared that since the inception of Peoples Democratic party (PDP) till date, no state in the country has given more support to the party than Rivers.
The Governor stated this Sunday at a Special Thanksgiving Service organized by the State Government for successful hosting of the party’s National Convention in Port Harcourt.
Wike expressed gratitude to God for the huge success recorded at the convention despite initial insinuations aimed at denying the state the hosting right.
He commended delegates, aspirants and security agencies for their enmense contributions towards a hitch free, and transparent convention.
The governor noted that inspite of initial attempt to politicize Port Harcourt venue of the event, using insecurity there was no death or kidnapping incident recorded.
He said his insistence on hosting the convention in the state was basically for the conomic henefit it would give to the people of the state, stressing that there was economic boom for hotelers, food vendours and other business people in the state.
The Governor said that the Thanksgiving was very appropriate to appreciate the much God has done for the state and ask for more favour.
He advised party members especially those who may not have succeeded during the past primaries not to think of leaving the party but to rather remain loyal and wait for the future.
Wike disclosed his failed ambition to become a Senator in the past when at the last minute the party prevailed on him to step down for Senator Thompson Sekibo.
“You can’t leave PDP for APC because you are not given ticket, what you didn’t get today, you can get tomorrow”, he said and remarked that APC has lost all hopes.
Chris Oluoh
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.