Ahead of the 2019 general elections, Nyesom Wike, the Rivers State governor, on Monday, said the Rivers State Neighbourhood watch and Safety Agency will soon become fully operational for the detection and prevention of crime across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Recall that governor Wike signed the neighbourhood watch and safety agency bill into law in March despite heavy criticism from the opposition All Progressive Congress in the state.
The Rivers APC said the governor was planning to equip a private army, a claim governor Wike denied and asked the party to go to court.
They also claimed that the purpose for which the security outfit is being launched is to perfect the rigging of the 2019 gubernatorial election in the state.
However, Governor Wike who spoke during the 108 and 109 General Session of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers on Monday in Port Harcourt said “The neighbourhood watch arrangement will soon be fully operational throughout the State to complement the efforts of the security agencies in the detection and prevention of crime and improve the security of lives and property in our neighbourhoods.
“Let me remind you that the corps members were recruited based on your attestations with regard to their character and suitability. Consequently, we will hold you accountable to the performance of the corps and the success of the scheme in your local government areas, communities and neighbourhoods.”
The governor urged the traditional rulers to shun partisan politics as getting involved in politics will reduce their social relevance.
He wondered why a First Class Traditional Ruler would be involved in partisan politics with the aim of undermining the state government.
He said: “If you don’t respect your stool, you will have challenges. Withdraw yourselves from playing politics. If you don’t withdraw yourselves, I will withdraw you. If you take sides, I will also take sides”.
Wike also charged the traditional rulers never to allow any politician to breach the peace in their communities during the forthcoming campaigns.
He said: “We expect the political parties to play by the rules and embark on peaceful and issue-based campaigns. But you must be on the watch out to ensure that no person or entity violates the peace of your communities under the guise of political campaigns.
“At the end of the campaigns the votes of our people are very important and we expect the INEC to conduct free, fair and credible general elections that will enable our people to freely determine their political direction and destiny. Here again, you also bear individual and collective responsibility to mobilize your subjects to collect their permanent voters cards and vote for the candidates of their choice.”
Governor Wike urged the traditional rulers to lend their voices in condemnation of the neglect of Rivers State by the APC Federal Government.
“It is time you lend your voices more forcefully to the neglect of the State by the Federal Government, the devastation of our environment by the oil companies, the grand fraud and deception in the Ogoni cleanup exercise and the call for economic justice and fiscal federation”, he said.
