Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike Photo: Pulse:nig
The Governor of Rivers State and the Nigeria Police made contradictory statements on the alleged withdrawal of the former’s security aides.
Mr. Wike said in a text message through his Commissioner for Information, Tam George, on Monday that his Chief Security Officer, CSO, and other key personnel in his detail had been withdrawn by the federal government.
The governor quickly surmised that the alleged withdrawal was part of an elaborate plot to “assassinate” him ahead of the National Assembly elections holding across the state on December 10. He blamed it all on the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“We will defend our sovereign right to freely choose our leaders. No force can stop the free will of the Rivers people,” Mr. Wike said.
However, the police responded saying no such thing happened.
Omoni Nnamdi, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer who spoke with premium times on Monday night, said “there was nothing like that to the best of my knowledge.”
“If the governor’s detail was actually tampered with, I would have received a signal to that effect,” Mr. Nnamdi said. “But as I am speaking with you, nothing of such has happened.”
In the same vein, Don Awunah, the Force Public Relations Officer, told premium times by telephone that it was “highly unlikely” that Mr. Wike’s CSO had been withdrawn.
“I don’t think his head of security was withdrawn,” Mr. Awunah said.
Mr. Awunah said Mr. Wike’s statement could be the latest of a series of distractions that had characterised the political atmosphere ahead of the upcoming elections in the state.
“You should know that there’s been a lot of red herring lately and I won’t be surprised if this is one of them,” Mr. Awunah said.
Mr. Awunah said Mr. Wike, as a governor, is entitled to uninterrupted security provisions at all time.
“We’re discussing a governor here. Don’t forget, he is entitled to security 24/7 and I don’t think anyone could tamper with it for any reason.”
Mr. Awunah, nonetheless, said he will make further findings and revert as soon as possible.
“It’s the duty of the police to clarify this issue and I will contact all departments in the police that could possibly be responsible for such action and get back to you,” Mr. Awunah said.
source: Premium times
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