Rivers LG polls: Teachers pledge to vote en masse

With controversies surrounding Saturday’s local government elections in Rivers State, teachers under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) have pledged to come out en masse to exercise their franchise.

It is, however, not clear if the proposal council polls would hold over differences between the camps of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Wike have vowed to oppose the process, saying it is against the law.

The camp also squared up their resistance on the polls with a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt on Thursday led by the Chief of staff during Wike’s administration, Emeka Woke, the former 23 local Government Chairmen, and some state assembly members.

Fubara and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) have also announced that the election was sacrosanct, affirming that there was no going back on the scheduled polls.

The developments are, however, creating a tense atmosphere in the state as some residents have expressed concern over coming out to vote.

Amidst all these, teachers who expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for bettering the welfare of Rivers people, despite several distractions, have assured that they will come out to express their franchise.

The teachers led by the State Chairman of NUT, Collins Echikpu, stated this during a ‘Thank you’ rally to Governor Fubara at Government House, Port Harcourt.

Echikpu particularly lauded the Governor for approving the new retirement age of 65 years and length of service to 40 years for Teachers of Rivers State, and the appointment of about 15 teachers as Permanent Secretaries.

Addressing the teachers, Fubara stated that his administration is poised to reposition the state on the path of prosperity.

He said the government remains desirous of ensuring quality education for children and bringing schools back to what they used to be.

Represented by the Head of the State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, the Governor, noted that his administration will prioritise health, education, and agriculture.

He expressed regret that the good old days when children of both the rich and poor schooled together in public schools are gone, and assured that public schools will soon take their rightful position in the state.