Featured
Vote Atiku To Revive Nation, Wike Tells Nigerians …Urges Citizens To Vote Out APC’s Darkness …As Gokana, Bonny Declare Support For Gov
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on Nigerians to establish the platform for the swift revival of the country by voting for Atiku Abubakar on February 16, 2019.
This is as thousands of Gokana people defied a heavy downpour to prove their support for Governor Wike. For close to two hours, Gokana people celebrated the key projects of the Rivers State Governor in the area, assuring him of their votes during the forthcoming elections.
Addressing the 2019 PDP Campaign Rally at Gokana Local Government Area yesterday , Governor Wike said Nigeria will not survive another four years of Buhari’s directionless and dictatorial governance.
He said: “We have the opportunity to chart a new direction for the country. Another four years of this failed APC Federal Government would mean countless deaths and excessive suffering.
“Atiku Abubakar will bring to bear his experiences in job creation and administration to transform the country and help us recover from the failures of Buhari”.
He urged the people to always seek freedom for the good of the country.
He said all Nigerians should rise to challenge Buhari’s dictatorship with their votes .
He said that Nigerians should end the road for the APC as there is no need for a failed leadership to continue to destroy the foundation of the country .
He said Nigerians have tested the APC and discovered that they can only offer suffering and retrogression.
On the development of Gokana Local Government Area, the governor assured the people of Gokana Local Government Area of more key projects to stabilise the economy of the council.
He added that Ogoni people cannot be intimidated by the APC leadership to say that they cannot contest for the governorship of the state. He said as bonafide Rivers people, Ogoni will only emerge as governor under the umbrella of PDP.
Governor Wike charged the people of Gokana Local Government Area to work hard to win in all the polling units. He said that the results of the rerun elections in the area must be improved upon in 2019.
Deputy Chairman of the PDP in Rivers State, Hon Charles Awortu, presented flags to PDP candidates. He urged the people to vote for all PDP candidates.
Director General of Wike Solidarity Movement, Gabriel Pidomson said that the people will defend their votes and resist any form of intimidation.
Commissioner of Finance, Dr Fred Kpakol said Gokana Local Government Area has always been PDP. He said that the destiny of the people are in their hands and they are prepared to defend their future.
In his address, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Sir Kenneth Kobani said the rain is a sign of victory for PDP.
He said Gokana are appreciative of the outstanding works of Governor Wike and will overwhelmingly vote for him and the PDP candidates.
Highpoint of the occasion was the conferment of a Chieftaincy title on Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike by the Gokana Traditional Rulers. The traditional rulers said they appreciate the governor’s achievements in their communities.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that the 2019 general elections represent a contest between darkness and light, saying that Nigerians must vote out the darkness that the All Progressives Congress (APC) represents.
Addressing thousands of supporters during the PDP Campaign Rally in Bonny Island, last Monday, Wike said while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) represents light, APC was the worst form of darkness.
He said: “What is happening in Nigeria now is between dictatorship and freedom. It is better you choose freedom. The only party that can bring freedom is the PDP.
“APC is known for dictatorship. When Goodluck Jonathan was the President, he obeyed every court order. If you want dictatorship, go to APC and if you want freedom come to PDP.
“This election is between darkness and light. APC is the symbol of darkness. PDP is the symbol of light.”
He said that Nigerians must end dictatorship at the federal level by voting for all PDP candidates.
The governor urged the people of Bonny Kingdom to vote the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar for the creation of employment opportunities.
He said the refusal of the Buhari administration to pay the counterpart fund for the construction of the Bonny-Bodo was a proof that their hatred for the Niger Delta was irreversible.
“The APC Federal Government has refused to pay N60billion to fund the Bonny Bodo Road. This is when the NLNG has already paid her own part. Up till now, because it is the Niger Delta and Rivers State, the Federal Government has refused to pay the counterpart fund.
“But they have gone to take $1billion from the Excess Crude Accounts to say they are fighting insurgency. One billion dollars is ¦ 370billion. To bring N60billion to make Bonny people travel home by road is difficult.
“What that tells you is that the APC Federal Government does not believe that you and I belong to this country. Therefore, if anybody says you are inconsequential, you will tell the person you are important. The only way you can teach them a lesson is to vote out the APC Federal Government”, he said.
He said though the PDP has never lost an election in Bonny Island, the people of the area must be vigilant to stop the APC-led Federal Government from robbing them of their mandate.
The governor urged Bonny PDP leaders to ensure the victory of the party in all the polling units, and said leaders who lose their units would lose political relevance.
On the plot by the Buhari administration to destroy the judiciary, Wike said that all well-meaning Nigerians are standing up in defence of constitutional democracy and separation of powers
He said: “We are working to ensure that the unconstitutional removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) is reversed because it did not follow the rule of law.
This dictatorship must end. The APC has failed Nigerians and we need to sack the party”.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo lamented the fact that the APC-led Federal Government makes empty promises in Rivers State without fulfilling any of them.
In his remarks, Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah said that the visit to Bonny was to celebrate a governor who has wiped away the tears of the people.
He commended the people of Bonny for their mass mobilisation to ensure the victory of all PDP candidates.
The Rivers State PDP chairman presented flags to the PDP Candidates contesting the elections for Rivers West Senatorial District.
Flags were presented to PDP Candidate for Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency, Doctor Farah and PDP Candidate for Bonny State Constituency, Abinye Blessing Pepple.
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.