RIVERS NDC CANDIDATE PLEDGES SALARY, ALLOWANCES TO WIDOWS IF ELECTED
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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim
The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has pledged to donate his salary and allowances to widows across Rivers State if elected governor in the 2027 general elections.
Lulu-Briggs made the promise on Monday during a media chat in Buguma, his country home in the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state, where he unveiled his development blueprint, titled “Reset Rivers State.”
The NDC candidate also promised to run a transparent, accountable and selfless administration while creating an enabling environment for young people to pursue their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
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Lulu-Briggs said his decision to forgo his salary was inspired by the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, whom he described as his principal.
“When we have the opportunity to manage government resources, I can promise Rivers people that their every penny will be accounted for.
“I’m sure I’m going to be like my principal, campaigning for President, Peter Obi. I will not even be asking for any salary. Every month, any salary will go into assisting one widow or the other,” he said.
He explained that his financial independence would allow him to serve without depending on government remuneration, adding that his businesses would continue to sustain him after leaving office.
“The way we have gone, there will be no need to even pension me because I’m sure that my businesses will still be running,” he added.
Lulu-Briggs said such personal sacrifices were necessary to restore public confidence in government and demonstrate that political office should be regarded as an avenue for service rather than personal enrichment.
He expressed concern over what he described as a widening trust deficit between Rivers residents and their leaders, promising to rebuild public confidence if elected.
“People need to begin to have faith in their government again. The trust deficit between the ruled and the rulership is frightening,” he said.
The NDC candidate said his proposed “Reset Rivers State” agenda would focus on transforming the state’s economy, politics, governance and access to opportunities.
“Just give us your support, give us your prayers. Let’s navigate these mucky waters of Rivers politics and we reset Rivers State,” he said.
He explained that his administration would work towards creating a system where citizens would not need political connections or the backing of influential individuals to access government opportunities.
“You will not need to know anybody to get something,” Lulu-Briggs declared, promising to invest heavily in young people, whom he described as the strength of society.
He said the future of Rivers State depended more on developing its human resources than relying solely on the exploitation of its natural resources.
“We will not be defined by the things that God has blessed us with only, but by the innovative things that we are able to create,” he said.
On governance, Lulu-Briggs pledged to reform the state civil service, which he described as the engine of government. He attributed the weakening of the service partly to the concentration of contracts and government activities at the Government House.
He also promised significant investment in healthcare, particularly the rehabilitation and activation of primary healthcare centres across the state.
The NDC candidate said more doctors would be recruited and provided with incentives, including accommodation and inconvenience allowances, to encourage them to work in rural communities.
“If I have a doctor work in a primary health centre in Buguma or Abonema or anywhere in the state, for instance, the doctor will have the reason to want to go there to work.
“Indeed, we might make it attractive in such a way that you might find it more attractive to go and work in the rural areas than to stay in Port Harcourt,” he stated.
While acknowledging the operations of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Lulu-Briggs said more needed to be done to improve patient care and strengthen the nursing workforce to meet rising healthcare demands.
He maintained that his ultimate goal was to use public office to restore trust in government, expand opportunities and ensure that Rivers State’s natural wealth translated into improved living conditions for its people.
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