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Rivers Elections: Wike Alerts On APC, INEC’s Plots To Incite Violence, Postpone Polls
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has revealed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have perfected plans to postpone Rivers elections on the altar of planned violence.
Wike declared that APC has been directed to burn INEC offices in several local government areas to create an atmosphere of insecurity for Rivers elections to be postponed.
Speaking during the PDP campaign rally in Asari-Toru Local Government Area in Buguma, last Friday, Wike said that the plot to destroy INEC offices in Rivers State will be executed by the sacked factional Rivers State APC Chairman, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree.
He alleged that Flag-Amachree and his hatchet men discussed the strategy, last Thursday.
“INEC thinks they are smart, but we are smarter than them. They met with APC and instructed them to generate extreme crisis for them to postpone the elections in Rivers State.
“APC went to INEC and INEC told them that as far as the law is concerned, their hands are tied. INEC told them that the only way they can assist the APC is for the embattled party to generate violence for security agencies to write security report to enable INEC to postpone Rivers elections.
“It is this agreement between INEC and APC that emboldened APC to openly declare that elections will not hold in Rivers State. This is a threat to national peace”, he said.
Wike noted that intelligence report indicates that INEC has instructed her printers in Switzerland to add APC on the ballot in Rivers State because they were expecting favourable judgement at the Supreme Court.
“INEC has told their printer in Switzerland to include APC on the ballot because they believe that APC will get judgement. We know the tricks of INEC. We have the capacity to chase out these animals.
“Let nobody push us to the wall. If there is any war in Nigeria, they should hold INEC responsible. Anybody can contest, but the law must be followed”, he said.
He called on the international community to take note of the plot by the leadership of the APC to disrupt the general elections in Rivers State.
“APC should stop threatening the public. Be careful how you issue threats. We call on the international community to see how APC is threatening violence in Rivers State”, he said.
Wike said following the threats of statewide violence by the APC, he has officially written to the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Army to take immediate action.
He added that this threat to violence poses the first assignment for the Acting Inspector General of Police to prove his impartiality.
On the quest by the Kalabari to produce a governor, Wike said that the ambition can only be actualised in the PDP.
He said the other mushroom political parties lack the capacity to produce a Kalabari governor.
The governor charged the leaders of the area to concentrate on winning all the polling units of the local government area.
PDP candidate for Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency, Hon. Boma Goodhead said all efforts to create crisis on election day will fail as all PDP candidates will win fair and square.
Chairman of Rivers State PDP, Bro Felix Obuah expressed happiness that Kalabari people were solidly behind the re-election of Wike.
Obuah presented PDP candidate for Rivers West Senatorial District, Mrs Betty Apiafi; PDP candidate for Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency, Hon. Boma Goodhead, PDP candidate for Asari-Toru State Constituency 1, Mr Takena Granville and PDP Candidate for Asari-Toru State Constituency 2, Hon Enemi Alabo George to the people, and urged them to vote them on February 16 and March 16.
He said that Asari-Toru is blessed with quality candidates.
Former Military Governor of Cross River State, Navy Capt Ibim Princewill (rtd) noted that the agreement to support Wike’s re-election was a wise decision, and assured that all Kalabari people would support him.
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.