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APC Has No Reason To Campaign In Rivers -Wike
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has no reason campaigning in the state if not for their planned reliance on state violence to manipulate the polls.
He said the evil machinations of the APC to waste lives of innocent Rivers people, emboldened the APC to think they can invade Rivers State.
The governor spoke in Port Harcourt during the PDP Campaign Rally at Community Secondary School, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, last Saturday.
Wike said: “If I was in APC, there are some states that I dare not campaign. One of such states is Rivers State.
“If APC is not a blood sucking political party, they won’t be coming to Rivers State to attempt campaigning. In this state, they have nothing on ground to promote themselves. They think they will rely on state violence, but that will fail them”.
He said since 2015, he has rejuvenated Port Harcourt, planting key projects to restore the beauty of the Rivers State Capital.
“There was a government here for eight years and it allowed Port Harcourt to decay. Chibuike Amaechi lived in Borokiri, but did nothing to improve the roads in that area. But I have transformed roads in Borokiri, Township, Abuluoma, GRA, Diobu and other parts of the city”, he said.
He said rather than develop Port Harcourt City, former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi wanted to re-locate Rivers State University from the town.
The governor said that the people of Port Harcourt have no reason to consider the APC.
The governor charged Port Harcourt residents to vote for Atiku Abubakar and other PDP candidates for the country to be returned to the path of growth.
He reiterated his declaration that the National Security Adviser has directed INEC to work with internet service providers to shutdown the cyberspace for the rigging of polls, vowing that all plots to rig will be resisted.
The governor noted that moving forward his administration will create more urban centres in the state.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Austin Opara said the people of Port Harcourt are happy with Wike for his outstanding projects delivery.
He said that all across Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, roads in Borokiri, Town, Ogbunabali, Abuloma and different parts of the city were reconstructed by the Wike administration.
Opara said: “We are grateful because you stood your ground that PDP must control Rivers State. We need to let them know that Rivers State and Port Harcourt in particular remain for PDP. We shall vote PDP top to bottom”.
He said in the next elections, anybody who is not from Port Harcourt and attempts to hijack results will be firmly resisted.
PDP candidate for Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 1, Rt Hon Ken Chikere said the people of the area are firmly in support of the re-election Wike.
Member representing Port Harcourt Federal Constituency, Hon Blessing Nsiegbe said that the victory of Wike has been divinely orchestrated for him to consolidate on his achievements.
He urged the people to ensure that all PDP members win their respective elections.
Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Victor Ihunwo said that Wike has been ordained to lead Rivers State to glory.
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.