I will give my salary to widows, Rivers NDC governorship candidate

The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has promised to give his salary and allowances to widows in Rivers State if he becomes governor in the 2027 general elections.

Lulu-Briggs made this promise during a media chat in Buguma, his hometown in the Asari-Toru Local Government Area, on Monday. He also shared his plans for the state, calling it ‘Reset Rivers State.’

The NDC candidate said he will run a government focused on transparency, accountability, and selflessness. He wants to create a space where young people can dream big and achieve their goals.

Lulu-Briggs explained that his choice to give up his salary came from the inspiration of the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, whom he called 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,” Lulu-Briggs said.

He noted that his financial independence would allow him to serve without depending on government pay. He mentioned that his businesses would continue to support him even 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 explained.

Lulu-Briggs stated that such personal sacrifices are needed to bring back public trust in government. He wants to show that political office should be for service, not personal gain.

He talked about a serious trust gap between Rivers residents and their leaders. He promised to work on rebuilding this relationship 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 stated that his government would focus on a complete “reset” of Rivers State, looking closely at the economy, politics, governance, and creating opportunities.

“Just give us your support, give us your prayers. Let’s work through these tough times of Rivers politics and we reset Rivers State,” the NDC governorship candidate said.

He made it clear that the proposed reset would ensure that citizens do not need political connections to access government opportunities.

“You will not need to know anybody to get something,” Lulu-Briggs declared. He emphasized the need to invest in young people, who he sees as the backbone of society.

He added that the future of Rivers State relies more on developing its human resources instead of just using 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 promised to reform the state civil service, calling it the engine of government. He criticized the way contracts and government tasks are focused at the Government House, which he said weakens ministries and harms the civil service.

He also promised to invest a lot in healthcare, especially by fixing and activating primary healthcare centres throughout the state.

Lulu-Briggs said more doctors would be hired and given incentives like accommodation and allowances to encourage them to work in rural areas.

“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.

He acknowledged that the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital are doing well but said more must be done to improve patient care and strengthen the nursing staff to meet growing healthcare needs.

Lulu-Briggs affirmed that his main goal is to use public office to restore trust, create more opportunities, and ensure that Rivers State’s natural wealth benefits its people.