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Wike, Ortom, Ikpeazu, Ugwuanyi Storm Ibadan For Makinde
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, yesterday, led the G5 Governors to storm Ibadan, Oyo State capital for the flag-off of re-election campaign of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Other G5 governors at the event held at the Mapo Hall, Ibadan, were: Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu; Benue State, Samuel Ortom and Enugu State, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
The G5 governors came to the venue around 1.00am to show solidarity for Makinde’s re-election.
Also at the event were former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; and former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.
Also present were party faithful from 33 local governments of the state.
As the governors arrived, party loyalists from all the 33 local government areas of the state, thronged the major roads leading to Mapo Hall.
The major roads leading to Mapo Hall were jam-packed with party loyalists from all the 33 local government areas of state, while the security operatives made serious efforts to control the crowd.
Speaking against the expectation that the G5 governors under the aegis of the Integrity Group, are likely to announce their choice of presidential candidate in Ibadan in the forthcoming general election, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, disclosed that members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State will be told who to vote for in the presidential election soon.
Wike urged people of the state to cast their votes for all contestants vying for various seats in the 2023 general election on the platform of the party.
He described Makinde as a person who believes in fairness, equity and justice and has done well to deserve a second term in office.
Wike said: “Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has done well, the only way is for him to go back to complete the good work he has started.”
“Vote for Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, vote for all the candidates on the platform of the party, but the other one, Seyi Makinde will tell you.”
“We believe in justice, fairness, honesty and equity, hence our reason for urging you to support the just governor God has given you in Oyo State. Makinde has done well since 2019 and the only way we appreciate him is to return him to government to enable him complete the good works he had started.”
In a similar vein, other members of the G5, in their separate remarks at the programme, thanked members of the party for their unflinching support for Makinde, describing him as a vibrant leader who has what it takes to move the state to enviable heights.
In his remark, Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, described Makinde as the youth leader of the G5, saying what the people of the state will see in the next four years will be greater than what the governor has done in his first four years.
Speaking at the flag – off of the PDP Gubernatorial campaign in Ibadan on Thursday, the Oyo State capital, leader of the G-5 , Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State said the group is more than ever united and would deliver all PDP candidates for governor, Senate, House of Representatives and Assembly in their various states.
He reiterated the genesis of their course which is premised on breach of the party constitution after the party National convention in May 2022.
“We want to assure you that the integrity group and the G-5 governors are committed members of PDP in our various states.
“We have a challenge with the national leadership of our party because they have failed to deploy its internal conflict resolution mechanism to resolve the problem that arose after the convention. At the appropriate time, we are going to let you know where and what to do. We are united, we are together, don’t listen to gossip and social media hypes. We are committed to PDP and we are working for all our candidates in our states.
“All our candidates in our states by the grace of God, they are going to win the governorship, the Senate, House of Reps, the House of Assembly. We are going to deliver to PDP”.
Making his remarks at the presentation of flags to candidates of the party, the Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Mr Taofeek Arapaja said Makinde’s performance was the reason behind the solidarity, and clarion call for his re- election by the people of Oyo State.
While speaking, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, urged people of the state to vote him for a second term to enable him complete the good projects he had started since 2019.
According to him, since his assumption of office in 2019, his administration has continued to deliver dividends of democracy to the people both in health, education, agriculture, security and in infrastructural development.
He said: “Under Omotitun 1.0, we promised Emmanuel Alayande University and we delivered, we secured full ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, we carried out rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads across the state, we have delivered but we are not stopping.
“Under Omotitun 1.0, we improved the standard of education, health, security through the introduction of Amotekun, as well as agricultural development and many others. Workers salaries and pension arrears are being paid as and when due, and many others.”
“Now, it is time for Omotitun 2.0 to upgrade. I am, therefore, seeking your support for my re-election to enable me complete the good projects I started in 2019,” Makinde pleaded with people of the state.
He then expressed appreciation to the people and party faithful for entrusting the destiny of the state under his care, assuring that more developmental projects and programmes will be witnessed in the state.
Makinde, who boasted of jerking up the state’s Internally Generated Revenue of the state from about N1.7billion to N3.8billion as of November ending, 2022, among other achievements, promised to do more for the people of the state.
The venue of the event was filled with a lot of dignitaries which include, wife of the governor, Mrs Tamunomnini Makinde; the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; PDP South-West Deputy National Chairman, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja; former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose; former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko; the party’s senatorial candidate for Oyo South, Mogaji Joseph Tegbe; Sen. Stanley Odidiomo, Abass Agboworin, Chief Jumoke-Akinjide, Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu, PDP state executives, other PDP candidates and members of the party from within and outside the state.
The flag-off witnessed the heavy presence of personnel of the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp, NSCDC, Department of Security Service, DSS, Amotekun Corps and Operation Burst.
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.
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