RIVERS State Government, Monday, the alleged plot by the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, at the center to pardon 32 suspected cultists recently declared wanted by Governor Nyeson Wike in the state.
On its part, the police in Rivers State, denied knowledge of such plot, just as the state APC said the allegation was a desperate effort by the state government to divert attention from the Federal Government’s ongoing investigation into Don Waney’s evil deeds likely to close in on the governor and his officials.
The state Information Commissioner, Emma Okah, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that “credible intelligence,” gathered by the state indicated that the said amnesty was aimed at winning the support of suspected cultists to give APC undue electoral advantage in 2019.
Okah said: “This action is no surprise. We have repeatedly said that some officials and agencies of the FG are frustrating the fight against violent crimes in Rivers. In particular, we have accused the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, of involvement in and aiding criminal activities.
“This sad development, at a time the state is winning the war against kidnappers and cultists, is a major set back and ploy to undermine the security of Rivers State. Each time we record success in the promotion of security, the Federal Government and its agents take deliberate steps to sabotage same at the instigation of some unpatriotic Rivers sons at the center.”
However, spokesman for Rivers State Police Command, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, in response, said: “I am not aware of such development. We cannot start pre-empting anything.”
On his part, Publicity Secretary to Rivers APC, Chris Finebone, said: “The simple truth is that since security forces killed Don Waney, Wike’s personal security architecture has suffered irredeemable damage. He is making desperate attempts at changing the known narrative that Don Waney and the PDP worked for the other.”
“The media know better. Wike and his officials are desperate at misleading ongoing investigations concerning those who sponsored, funded and protected Don Wani all these years. They know those the investigations will lead to hence the desperate attempt to divert attention but it is too late. Calling APC or FG simply confirms that the governor and his men are at their wit’s end.
“We have said it over and over that the governor cares little about giving governance to the people and that is why he is perpetually in election mode. Instead of condemning him, we empathize with him because we believe he needs help desperately. Wike is a victim of a flawed political leadership recruitment system but unfortunately Rivers people are the losers for it. It’s sad.”
