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G-5 PDP Govs Still Open To Reconciliation, Wike Affirms
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that the Integrity Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are still open for reconciliation.
This stance, he maintained, is because of the conviction that every critical stakeholder in the party needs to be on board to ensure electoral victory for the party in 2023.
Wike spoke in Bauchi when he led the PDP Integrity Governors on a solidarity visit to the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, last Wednesday.
“I have stated severally that we are here for reconciliation. We have never closed the door for reconciliation. We have never closed the door and we will not close the door.”
“All we are saying is that there should be equity, justice and fairness. That is the hallmark of what PDP stands for, equity, justice and fairness.”
On the team of the Integrity Governors were Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.
Wike declared that because the PDP Integrity Governors are the pillars of the party, they have kept their doors open and are ready for genuine reconciliation.
“All we are saying is that let the right thing be done. When the right thing is done, the whole country will know that election is over.
“This G-5 that you are seeing, we are the bedrock of the party. So, we can’t close the door for reconciliation. We are open for reconciliation any day, anytime.”
Wike also explained the reason for the solidarity visit to the Bauchi State governor and said it is to ascertain how he was putting up with the challenges of his re-election for his second term.
“Our main motive of coming here is to give solidarity to our brother, the governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed. And all we have discussed is to see how by the grace of God, being a gift to the people of Bauchi, he will win his election come 2023.
“So, all our discussion had to centre about his election and we are out to give him all the necessary support as our friend, our brother in the same political family.”
Wike explained that the visit became necessary because whatever affects the Bauchi State governor will impact on them as well.
“By the grace of God, I know he has done well in Bauchi and the people of Bauchi State will still vote for him to come back for a second tenure.”
In his response, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, expressed his delight over hosting the PDP Integrity Governors.
The Bauchi State governor, said it was no secret that he wrote to the national leadership of the PDP to express his concerns about perceived encumbrances as it affects his second term bid in the state.
He explained that this necessitated his meeting last Tuesday with the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Mohammed, who described the G-5 governors as brothers, joked that he was supposed to be part of them in their demand for equity, fairness, justice but he was excommunicated for reasons only known to the members of the G-5.
Despite that, the governor said he had maintained regular contact with them and no day passes by without a call put out to, at least, one of them.
“In politics, you go with the people you share things in common. One thing that I appreciate with them is that they look at your challenges, they are not going back for second term, all of them.
“So, I am happy they are here. I will have the opportunity of confiding in people that I believe I can confide in with some of my worries, my fears, my apprehensions and that of my State. As PDP members, we are of the same family. I will see you as my comrades in this journey of life.”
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.