Governor of River State, Nyesom Wike has stressed that he will not succumb to sponsored criticism to lift the curfew imposed in the wake of attacks on security outfits in Rivers State.
The governor had imposed a curfew on all the 23 local government areas of the state to prevent further attacks on security formations and other related crimes in the state.
Speaking at the 60th birthday celebration of the Federal lawmaker representing Rivers South-East senatorial district in the Senate, Senator Barry Barinada Mpigi in Port Harcourt, the governor noted that the curfew will remain
He noted his awreness of the traffic difficulty experienced by the residents of the State, particularly in Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor councils while trying to beat the 8:30 pm curfew time, but maintained that it is better to suffer inconveniences and be alive.
“Some criminals who have not been succeeding in kidnapping, have been sending people to go on radio to say the governor should be reasonable, and that they don’t want the curfew again.”
“Criminals are the ones who are doing that. I will not agree. Life and property is important for me. All those criminals who have been sending people to go on radio that they are suffering and that we should extend the curfew to 12 am, to enable them kidnap people from 7 pm, will not succeed. Don’t waste your time.”
He explained that the imposition of the curfew is based on security advice by law enforcement agencies, as a precaution to prevent further attacks on security formations in the State.
He enjoined residents and citizens of the State to learn how to make sacrifices, suffer the inconveniences of today to achieve a better tomorrow.
According to him: “I want all of us to be alive to take care of our children.”
The governor further disclosed that approval has been given to the state to site the Nigeria Law School campus in Port Harcourt, the State capital.
“We have gotten approval to have a Law School in Port Harcourt. It is not about me, it is the legacy you leave. This was a Law School that was given to Port Harcourt, but the previous government rejected it and it was sent to Yenagoa.
“Today, we have that approval that there must be a Law School in Port Harcourt. And I can assure you in six months time, our Law School will be the best Law School in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, Governor Wike thanked God for grace and benevolence toward Senator Mpigi and his family as he recalled his relationship with the senator, which he says dates back to when they were both council chairmen.
Chairman of the occasion and former President of the Movement of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) Ledum Mitee, thanked God for the life of the celebrant, whom he described as a politician with grassroots appeal.
In his address, Senator Mpigi said he decided to celebrate his 60th birthday specifically to thank God for life, sound health and his reuniting with Governor Wike.
