Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Rivers State Governor, has declared that the illegal use of operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and military personnel to cause rancour ahead of the 5th May APC Congress in the state has vindicated him.
Governor Wike also stated that the series of statements released by APC stakeholders on the illegal activities of SARS Personnel in the course of their forthcoming congress should draw the attention of all well-meaning lovers of democracy.
Wike spoke during the Courtesy Visit by the retired military and para-military officers of Ogoni extraction at the Government House Port Harcourt on Friday.
The governor said that if security agencies can be negatively used during a party congress, Nigerians should expect electoral mischief, masterminded by security agencies in 2019.
He said: “In an ordinary party congress, over a platoon of soldiers and more than 200 SARs Personnel have been handed over to one man. If these operatives protect just one man , while other communities are left without protection.
“Even the notorious election rigger, SARS Commander Akin Fakorede is operating without check because he has the support of the Police High Command “.
He said that conflicts during elections are generated by overzealous security agents, detailed to manipulate the process.
The governor urged the retired military and paramilitary senior officers to use their contacts in the military to prevail on them to respect the rule of law in a democracy.
He stated that his administration will continue to invest in the promotion of security of lives and property across the state.
