Critics Slam Wike On Last Minute Promotions, Recruitment Of Civil Servants, Recognition Of Chiefs

Criticisms have trailed the last minute decision of the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, to approve the promotion of civil servants and the recruitment of 10,000 people into the civil service.
Wike had told the new leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Rivers State led by Comrade Alex Agwanwor and the chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Emechete Chuku that visited him at Government House on Thursday that he did not want to approve the promotions and recruitments because he did not want the immediate past Chairman of the congress in the state, Mrs. Beatrice Itubo, to take the credit.
“Now that she has left, to welcome you, we are going to start the promotion process. I didn’t want her to take credit. You should take the credit,” Wike said.
He said the implementation of the outstanding promotion in the civil service was the fulfillment of the promise of employing ten thousand youths into the service.
The governor said he has forwarded the list of members of the Civil Service Commission immediately to the State House of Assembly for screening, because they will oversee the process to fruition. at Government House in Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike accused the former leader of NLC in the State of falsely claiming that pensioners were owed 15 months of entitlements.
“We have been paying pension and gratuities every month. Not less than three point something billion Naira is set aside for that purpose, including payment of benefits.
“In fact, the former Accountant General of the State told me yesterday that those of 2016 and 2017 have been cleared, but you hear her (Beatrice Itubo) go to say that we have not paid for 15 months. That is unfair. How will a government that built a secretariat for NLC and TUC at the same time be anti-labour,” he said.
“So, there is nothing government cannot do for you if we have a good relationship. There is how you go about it. You don’t go about plotting against the downfall of a government which will also affect the welfare of your members.”
The governor said he was surprised that Rivers workers were not excited about the opportunity they now have with a civil servant, Mr. Siminialayi Fubara, being the governorship candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.
“So, I thought that the civil service, the union ought to have taken it up themselves to say this campaign is our own, that we are getting one of us now who will be in charge of the affairs of this State.
“The deputy (running mate) is also experienced in civil service job. She has also been a permanent secretary, became a commissioner and a lecturer.
The Governor Wike warned workers against supporting Tonye Cole, the Rivers All Progressives Congress (APC) because Cole could escape being prosecuted for charges the state government has against him if he won the governorship election..
Rivers NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor said his executive committee had come to present themselves to the governor and pledge their loyalty to his administration.
He noted as sad the sour relationship between government and the Rivers workers. But as partners in progress, he assured that NLC in the State will right the wrongs, return to that path of cooperation in order to attract better welfare for workers.
Comrade Agwanwor pledged that Rivers workers will rally support for Sir Siminialayi Fubara to become the next governor of the State.
Also speaking, Rivers chairman of Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Emechete Chuku, acknowledged the unequalled infrastructural development strides of the Wike’s administration and said it was sad that the former NLC leadership could not sustain a cordial workers-government relationship.
He thanked governor Wike for paying workers salary regularly, initiating the payment of pensions, clearing up to batch 2014 and assured that workers in the state will be mobilised to deliver winning votes to Sir. Siminialayi Fubara as next governor of the State.
Meanwhile, the Chairman and members of Rivers State Civil Service Commission have been screened and confirmed by the House of Assembly. The successful members are: Sir Clifford Ndu Walter – Chairman, Ven Richard Ngozi Okpara, Barr Osima Gina, John Paschal Nali, and Chief Mike Elechi, members.
The state government has dissolved the Board of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission and has forwarded the list of new Board members to the House of Assembly for screening.
The governor’s gestures have however come under criticisms. Mr Oraye St Franklyn, a former media aide of the governor, in an online post described the promise of employment as desperate political move to get votes for his chosen candidate.
He said, “The vacancies at the Rivers State Civil Service have existed for at 5 years. What we saw in the last 7 years were selective and secret employment of associates and community members of the Governor. The compromised and tribalised Rivers State University, RSU, employment saga is still fresh in our minds.
“To now suddenly open up employment days to election is at best a desperate response to the rejection notice served by Rivers people.
“Rivers people are smart. They will take the employment but sustain their rejection of a government that has largely weaponised poverty.”
Also, the Labour Party candidate for Port Harcourt State Constituency 1, Mr. Isaiah Olumati, wondered why Wike was suddenly caring for the welfare of workers after eight years of neglect.
He described the promise by the governor as another cunning attempt at vote buying.
“If the Governor has a strained relationship with the leadership of the NLC and Beatrice Itubo how does that affect the thousands of people employed by the government into the civil service and why must they bear the brunt? There is nothing pettier.”
“In 2021, Mr Governor promised 5,000 jobs, we are yet to account for it. A few months ago, a hoax employment scheme was launched for some Universities in the state one of which is the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. None of the recent employees have been paid till date, no Identity Cards offered, no office spaces for the said employed staff and I can tell you the end game; they will be dropped because it is no employment, it is a shadow game and I feel sorry for those who keep showing up daily in the hope that the Government is serious with their lives.
He urged Agwanwor of the NLC, not to fall for the antics of the Governor. There is not going to be any promotion in the Civil Service for those due for promotion and doing it now after many year does not translate to being right and this vote buying.
Solomon Lenu, Spokesman of the Rivers State Civil Societies Organization also dismissed the promise of the governor as a mere political statement aimed attracting votes for his preferred candidate, Siminalayi Fubara.
Itubo, who is the governorship candidate of the Labour Party is yet to react to the development.