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Tonye Cole, No Match For Wike -Rivers PDP …Obuah Lauds Gov’s Achievements
Rivers State PDP Campaign Council says the factional governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Arch Tonye Cole is a political neophyte and lacks the requisite public service experience and exposure to govern a multi-ethnic and complex state like Rivers.
A press statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt by the Director of Information and Communications, Emma Okah said only enemies of the State will prescribe a pupil to a teacher in a contest that requires tact, maturity and expertise to excel.
“Ordinarily, the PDP would not have bothered to campaign in Rivers State if Arch Cole is the APC candidate but the joy of a free and fair contest is the lesson the loser learns. It teaches him that a child cannot be older than his father,” Okah said, noting that Tonye Cole should have started campaigning since 2011 if he truly means to battle a political collosus like Governor Nyesom Wike.
According to Okah, those who love Rivers State can never prefer an unrepentant Lagosian who does not know the cultural and political terrain of his ethnic nationality let alone the state to aspire to govern Rivers State.
“Suggesting that Arch Cole should govern Rivers State at this time is to set the state ten years behind as he would spend so much time learning the ropes, names of the various towns and communities that make up his Kingdom, learn to speak his native language, names of the various local government areas and headquarters, names of key members of his party, names of VIPs in the state etc” the statement added.
Okah said the people of Rivers State have learnt their lessons and would not allow a stooge who cannot be his man to preside over the affairs of the State.
“Rivers people do not want selfish and greedy merchants who would buy off valued state assets at cheap prices but will vote for a man they know and have been seeing. The man who has been council chairman, State Campaign Coordinator, Super Minister, a Bencher and sitting Governor. Governor Wike made promises to develop the state during the 2015 campaigns and three years down the road, he has fulfilled his promises, wining multiple awards and even doing more for Rivers people”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah has joined millions of Rivers people to commemorate the successful entry into the New Year 2019, even as he applauded the monumental achievements of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
In his New Year Message which was signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, the PDP Chairman charged people of the State to embrace the New Year with a grateful heart as God has been faithful in preserving their lives throughout the year 2018.
Bro. Obuah enjoined the people and the teeming supporters of the PDP not to be swayed by the current economic hardship foisted on Nigerians by the wrong economic policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled federal government, but rather thank God for keeping everyone alive.
He expressed the hope that 2019 would be fruitful and rewarding, and appealed to everyone to join faith with Governor Nyesom Wike as he strives to improve the lives and wellbeing of Rivers people.
The Chairman described year 2019 as crucial, in view of the General Elections which begin on 16th February, 2019, saying that the general elections provide an ample opportunity to once more reject the APC by voting for all the candidates of the PDP in all the elections.
Bro. Obuah urged Rivers people not to be intimidated by the antics, lies and evil propaganda which are the trademarks of the APC, adding that the party has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that it lacked capacity to govern Nigeria.
The PDP Chairman noted that Governor Nyesom Wike has proven, even to his die-hard critics that good governance is possible in Rivers State, by fulfilling all the promises he made to the people before, during and after the 2015 general elections.
He said it is in recognition of the unprecedented achievements of Governor Wike that the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo called him ‘Mr. Projects’, adding that the nation’s top-rated media organizations like The Sun, Authority, Leadership, Silverbird Television, etc attested to this truism by unanimously conferring the ‘Best Governor Award’ on Governor Wike.
“Time and space may fail me if I begin to catalogue all the achievements of Governor Nyesom Wike in just three and half years in office. He promised to open the courts and he did. He promised to restore the House of Assembly and he did. Befitting accommodations have been provided for judges, doctors, etc.
“There’s massive improvement on infrastructures, excellent road networks, housing development and above all, he has ensured that all sectors of the economy receive adequate attention. Civil servants and pensioners’ salaries are up-to-date”, Bro. Obuah declared.
While urging Rivers people to consolidate on the gains of Governor Wike’s fruitful administration, Bro. Obuah urged them to reciprocate the gesture by voting massively for Wike during the Governorship election.
“That would be a befitting New Year gift for Governor Wike and a good demonstration that one good term deserves another”, he said.
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.