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RSG Protests Postponement …Polls Shift Confirms Wike’s Alarm
In fulfillment of fears earlier expressed by Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has again postponed the conduct of the legislative rerun elections in the State which were initially slated for Saturday, July 30, this year.
Governor Wike had raised the alarm that INEC may be planning to postpone the elections because it was clear that the APC was ill-prepared and could not win.
Following the cancellation of the initial legislative elections in the state due to violence, INEC had on June 20, after a meeting with relevant stakeholders, fixed July 30, as new date for the conclusion of the polls.
However, the commission in a statement signed by its Secretary, Mrs Augusta Ogakwu, yesterday, said the rerun polls were postponed for the second time due to reports of violence, maiming and fatalities.
The commission cited last Saturday’s attack on its office in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of the state as a sign of prevailing danger.
The Tide recalls that the same reasons were adduced for the initial cancellation and or suspension of the rerun polls on March 19.
The commission, however, did not announce any new date for the conclusion of the rerun polls.
The commission, according to the statement, said that, “as a responsible organisation and conscious of the violence, maiming and fatalities which accompanied the previous elections in March as well as developments in the state since then, the commission cannot ignore such credible reports.
In the circumstances, therefore, it is compelled to further postpone the rerun legislative elections in Rivers State as one of the principal conditions earlier stipulated for the return to the state for the conclusion of the election has, regrettably, not been met.
This, the commission is also a collective responsibility to be borne by all political actors, irrespective of political positions and affiliations. “If the goal of political contests is to serve the people, then there is no greater service than ensuring, at all costs, the preservation of the lives of the people whom such services would be rendered.”
INEC further justified the cancellation of the rerun polls, saying it has a responsibility to ensure that voters, electoral personnel, observers and other stakeholders are protected during the fresh elections.
Meanwhile, the government and people of Rivers State said they are shocked by what they called the bare-faced collusion between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to subvert democracy in the state.
In a statement in Port Harcourt yesterday, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George said it is completely unacceptable that Rivers State will continue to be denied full representation in the National Assembly due to the incompetence and malpractices perpetrated by the INEC.
The State government called on the Presidency and National Assembly to act urgently in the national interest to disband INEC as presently constituted for its incompetence and open partnership.
The statement called on the international community to initiate and maintain diplomatic pressure on the federal government which continues to frustrate the independence of INEC and the evolution of democratic diversity in Nigeria.
In a related development, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has said that the indefinite postponement of the State and National Assembly re-run elections in the state by the Independent National electoral Commission (INEC), is a confirmation of the alarm raised by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike during his campaign rally in Okehi that neither the commission nor APC were ready for the conduct of the re-run elections in the State.
Reacting to the news of the postponement in a statement through her Press Secretary, Paul Damgbor, the Deputy Governor wondered why the electoral body would rather than assert itself to the smooth conduct of elections in the State resort to frivolous and imaginary excuses in a bid to satisfy the whims and interest of the APC.
Banigo regretted that INEC under the watch of Professor Mahmud Yakubu has not been transparent and sincere concerning Rivers State elections especially the alarm raised by the Governor over the frequent visits of APC chieftains to the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
She stressed that the refusal of the Commission to address these issues suggests complicity and a deliberate ploy to deny Rivers state adequate representation in both the National and State assemblies.
She warned that the law-abiding disposition of Rivers people should not be taken for granted and reminded politicians whose stock-in-trade is to undermine the administration of Governor Wike and destroy the state through fictitious security media reports to have a rethink as Rivers state is bigger than any individual’s selfish agenda.
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.