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This Is Nigeria’s Chance To End Dictatorship -Wike …Urges Citizens To Pull Nation Back From Extinction
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that Nigerians have the best opportunity to end dictatorship during the 2019 presidential election.
Speaking during a Special Mass at Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), yesterday, in Port Harcourt, Wike said that the highpoint of the forthcoming elections was the chance to be free.
He said that the failures of the present administration have made the 2019 general elections more important than mere politics.
“In the forthcoming presidential election, you have the opportunity to end dictatorship or embrace freedom. But the best way forward is to embrace freedom for the good of the country”, he said.
Wike said that the very bad economy of the country under the Buhari administration has destroyed all spheres of life including the church.
“Today, nobody is enjoying the economy. The economy has degenerated to the level that the Church is affected as people can no longer give offering and tithes.
“We have the opportunity to fix our economy by voting for the right person. This is a time to change the economic direction of the country”, he said.
The governor noted that the national collapse of the security infrastructure was due to the inability of the APC is to initiate quality policies, and urged Nigerians to vote Atiku Abubakar who has the blueprint to secure the country.
He urged the church to pray for peaceful polls, adding that nobody should shed blood for political relevance.
“What is important is the church must pray for peaceful and credible polls. No position is worth the blood of anyone. We preach peaceful and credible polls”, he said.
The Catholic Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, Rt Rev Camillus Etukudo prayed for peaceful polls, and urged Nigerians to participate in the elections and vote according to their conscience.
Similarly, Rev Monsignor Pius Kii of Catholic Institute of West Africa praised Wike for his outstanding projects delivery and human development programmes.
He said Rivers people were happy with Wike for improving their living condition, and prayed God to grant the strength to continue with his projects delivery.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on Nigerians to pull the country from the brink of extinction by voting out failed President Muhammadu Buhari on February 16, 2019.
He said that Nigeria was at an unfortunate crossroad and everyone was under obligation to salvage the country from the grip of a non-performing tyrant.
Wike spoke during the 2019 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Rally at State School 1, Bori, last Saturday.
The governor said: “On February 16, 2019, all Nigerians should persevere at the polling units to ensure we vote Atiku Abubakar and other PDP candidates and sack President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Nigerians is at a crossroad and anything can happen at any time. The enemies of the country will never succeed”.
He urged Nigerians to defend their votes and their permanent voters’ cards because the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government has set up a committee to steal PVCs.
The governor warned security agencies and INEC against plotting to rig, cautioning that any official involved in rigging will suffer the consequences.
He said that his administration has kept all his promises to the Ogoni people, pointing out that his second term would witness more profound projects in the area.
Wike warned the people of Khana Local Government Area against being deceived by the empty promises of the failed APC-led Federal Government.
He said the Buhari administration has used the Ogoni clean-up exercise as a lying political tool which would never be implemented.
Wike said that at the federal level, President Muhammadu Buhari wants to cripple the Judiciary and the Legislature; the way the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi closed the courts and the House of Assembly of Rivers State in 2013.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo expressed happiness that Khana people were solidly behind Wike, and assured that the governor would never disappoint Khana people.
She said that anyone plotting to scuttle the forthcoming elections will face the consequences of their actions.
Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah said that Khana Local Government Area has proven to be a stronghold of Wike.
He urged the people to remain steadfast in their support for Wike in 2019.
Obuah presented PDP Candidate for Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Rt Hon Barry Mpigi, PDP Candidate for House of Representatives, Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, Dum Dekor, PDP Candidate for Khana State Constituency 1, Bariene Deeyah and PDP Candidate for Khana State Constituency 2, Prince Ngbor to Khana people.
He said the people should vote them for the development of the area.
In his remarks, PDP Candidate for House of Representatives, Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, Dum Dekor said the rally was a history making event because the governor’s journey to Government House, Port Harcourt started on the same point.
He said the people are prepared for battle, noting that nobody will be allowed to use the military to rig elections in the area.
In his remarks, Senator Lee Maeba said Wike was for the Ogoni people, reminding them that Amaechi, has just sacked Ogoni son and replaced him with an Ikwerre man.
He said that Wike has always been a friend of the Ogoni, as he nominated an Ogoni son, Kenneth Kobani as a Minister of State for Trade during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
Former Leader of APC in Khana, Elder Austin Nwanko said since 1956 till date, Wike was the first to touch the lives of the people through the dualization of the Sakpenwa-Bori Road.
He said about 1,800 members of the APC defected in Kpean Town because of the works of Wike.
The Commissioner of Environment, Prof Roseline Konya said the performance of the Rivers State governor would lead to 100 per cent votes for the PDP during the 2019 General Elections.
Rivers State Commissioner for Employment Generation, Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa said that Wike has changed the heartbeat of the area into pro-Wike songs.
Director General of the Rivers State PDP Campaign Council, Amb Desmond Akawor said that Ogoni people from the 295 polling units have come with one voice to re-elect Wike.
Akawor said the projects across Khana people have endeared him to the people.
Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Lahteh Loolo said that Wike and PDP would win in all the polling units of the area.
He said since 2015, Wike has continued to defy all negative claims by the opposition to emerge victorious at every turn, adding thatlike in 2015, Wike would win again in 2019.
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.