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2019 General Elections: FG Moves To Deny Rivers Access To Cash …CBN, EFCC Direct Banks To Block RSG’s Accounts
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has revealed that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have directed Managing Directors of Banks to deny Rivers State cash during the weeks of the 2019 elections.
Governor Wike said that he received the information on the illegal cash strangulation of Rivers State by few Bank Managing Directors who attended the meeting with the CBN Governor and EFCC.
Addressing thousands of supporters during the PDP campaign rally in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area yesterday, Governor Wike said this unconstitutional initiative by the APC Federal Government will fail woefully.
He said: “The CBN Governor and the EFCC Chairman invited the Managing Directors of Banks and told them to deny Rivers State cash during the elections. They told them to strangulate Rivers State.
”We have passed that stage. Nobody can gag us. Before now, we prepared for the elections. They should not bother, because we are ready”.
The governor said rather than cry over the insistence of the international community that the APC Federal Government should conduct credible polls, President Muhammadu Buhari should emulate Former President Goodluck Jonathan who organised free and fair elections and lost.
”In 2015, the APC went to the International Community and got their support. They supported them and the PDP lost.
’Today, the APC Federal Government is crying because the international community is insisting on credible polls.
”President Muhammadu Buhari should conduct credible polls and earn international respect. Buhari should emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan. He should not rig with security agencies because it will not work”, he said.
The governor declared that PDP is ready for the forthcoming general elections as the party is preferred by Rivers people and has a history of resounding electoral victories.
”PDP is ready for elections in 2019. We have won all previous elections in the state. In 2015, they claimed we won because of Jonathan. But we won all the rerun elections under Buhari administration, except the ones they snatched illegally.
”If not for their planned reliance on security agencies, nobody will collect APC nomination forms. There is no imprint of APC anywhere in Rivers State “, he said.
He charged the people of the area to vote for Atiku Abubakar and other PDP candidates.
The governor announced that he will start the electrification of the area. He stated that during his second term, his first project would be to connect Wakama to Ogu by road.
Governor Wike urged the people to remain faithful to the PDP because it is the only party that considers the welfare and development of the people.
Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah thanked the Ogu/Bolo people wholeheartedly supporting Rivers State Governor and other PDP candidates. He presented the PDP Candidate for Rivers East Senatorial District , Senator George Sekibo, PDP Candidate for Okrika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency, Bright Gogo and PDP Candidate for Ogu/Bolo State Constituency, Evans Bipi to the people and asked them to vote for them .
PDP Candidate for Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator George Sekibo said that the people of the area will always support Governor Wike.
He said that the people have no choice than to support Governor Wike for the several projects in the area, especially the reconstruction of Government Secondary School, Ogu. He said that the construction of the school removed shame from his eyes.
PDP Candidate for Ogu/Bolo State Constituency, Evans Bipi said the area is purely for the PDP. He said that nobody can steal the votes of Ogu/Bolo people.
He said that PDP has no rival in the area. He said that the people will continue to support Governor Wike.
Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Navy Captain Erasmus Victor (Rtd) , urged the people to vote for the PDP because that is the way to sustain development.
Director General of Rivers State PDP Campaign Council, Ambassador Desmond Akawor said Ogo/Bolo people are now part of the movement of progress as they are fully in support of Governor Wike.
He said that the Ogu/Bolo land by their mass mobilisation have shown they are committed to stopping the wind of destruction represented by the APC.
Former Commissioner and Rivers State Abuja Liaison Officer, Hon Vincent Nemieboka said that the people will deliver the area to the PDP because of the achievements of Governor Wike
Chairman of PDP in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area , Engr Arnold Davids said that the Local Government Area is the heartbeat of PDP in the state . He assured that all PDP candidates will win their respective elections
The remaining APC members in the area defected to the PDP and declared their support for the re-election of Governor Wike.
Former Leader of Ogu/Bolo APC, Mr Tamuno Jonah said his defection is home coming and aimed to consolidate the re-election process for the Rivers State Governor.
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.