Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute 21 politicians in the state for allegedly piloting to disrupt the Governorship and House of Assembly election with armed thugs, cultists, and gangsters in military and police uniforms.
Wike made this statement on Thursday night in a state-wide broadcast, gave the name of the politicians as: Dr. Lenoonu Nwibubasa, Bright Nwinyoodee, Barika Bareh, Friday Sinee, Dumbari Deezua and Neeka Ikina,
Others are: Dr. Gabriel Pidomson, Giobari Poiba, Barisi Bonikoo, Hon. Mike Amachree, Paul Lawrence Paul, Anosike Orduwa, Mr. Ogbams Ojimah, Kenneth Chinda, Smiles Azundah and Gift Welebe.
Also on the list are: Nwobueze Amadi, Chidi Wosa, Ugochukwu Wosu, Ndidi Erim, Lucky Mmai, Baridi Edmund Katara, Solo Filiman Mon, Charles Anyanwu, Christian Don Pedro, Iworiabo Amachree, and Arokosimiya Ikalama
Wike stated that the state government decided to petition the aforementioned based credible intelligence indicating the plans by Amaechi and the All Progressives Congress (APC), to overrun and disrupt the Saturday elections in the state with military personnel and civilian thugs as well as cultists dressed in army and police uniforms.
He further accused Amaechi and the APC governorship candidate, Tonye Cole of indicting the Judicial Panel of Inquiry for fraudulently acquiring the state’s valued assets and diverting the state’s $50,000,000.00 to themselves, wants to unleash violence during Saturday election.
Wike said: “We have written to notify the Hon. Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army, and the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, and requested that no military personnel is released to Rotimi Amaechi or any other politician to interfere with next Saturday’s elections in Rivers State.
“Furthermore, we have noticed that the Anti-terrorism Unit of the State Police command continues to provide VIP security services to politicians in defiance of the Inspector-General’s order to withdraw all police personnel attached to VIPs during the elections.
“We, therefore request the Inspector-General of Police to enforce his order by ensuring that all political leaders are restricted to their polling units and prevented from moving about with police escort.”
The governor said the state government expects the security high command to live up to their assurance of providing adequate security beef-of throughout the state to forestall any security breaches or breakdown of law and order during and after the elections.
He said: “We assure everyone that we will do everything within our power to resist and prevent a repeat of what happened in 2019 when the Nigerian Army was used to rig, kill our people and destroy property during the elections across the state.
Wike urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to guarantee and ensure that next Saturday’s elections are free, fair, and credible, by allowing the electorate to decide their leaders.
“This is precisely what the candidate of the PDP, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, have committed to accomplishing with their blueprint for consolidation and continuity. Siminalayi Fubara is a Christian, a Knight of St. Christopher, and an Accountant with over two decades of working experience in civil service.
“He progressed to the zenith of his public service career as Permanent Secretary and Accountant General of Rivers State, where he recently resigned to contest as the governorship candidate of the PDP.
“Siminalayi Fubara’s running mate, Professor (Mrs) Ngozi Odu, is also Christian with an excellent public service career. She is a former Permanent Secretary, Commissioner for Education, and university lecturer.”
“Therefore, this is the turn of civil servants to be at the helm of State affairs. It is a golden opportunity for every civil and public servant, serving and retired, to fully embrace and ensure that the next Governor and Deputy Governor come from their constituency.
“We must agree that this election is about the future of Rivers State. It is about moving Rivers State forward to the next level. It is about advancing the security and well-being of our people. It is about protecting and defending the interests of Rivers State.”
He said: “We are particularly elated with the emergence of my Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, as one of the only three elected women Senators of Nigeria for the 10th National Assembly.”