involvement in partisan politics.
Governor Wike was reacting to the recent action of the Ondo State
Commissioner of Police who was used to infringe on the fundamental human
right of the State’s Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.
In an interview with journalists in Port Harcourt, the governor said it
was wrong for the Commissioner of Police, Ondo state to dabble into
politics by confining or denying the Ondo State Deputy Governor access
to his residence based on the rumor of his defection to another
political party.
He described the act as unfortunate and condemnable in a democratically
elected government.
“The Nigeria Governors’ Forum should rise to the occasion and demand
that those behind actions that bother on the infringement of
constitutional rights be brought to book.
“I will continue to say the truth, it does not matter which political
party is erring. Look at the police reducing themselves to a level where
politicians will now send them to infringe on the right of a deputy
governor without regard to the fact that he has immunity.
“They removed a Commissioner of Police in Rivers state because of the
Calverton Helicopter saga which had to do with persons whose COVID-19
status were not known during the lockdown in the State. So, what should
happen to the commissioner of police who stopped a democratically
elected deputy governor from entering his house simply because of the
rumour that he wanted to defect to another political party?
“If that Commissioner of Police was in Rivers State, he would have been
removed. This is part of the reasons people say I criticize the
Governors Forum. It is not created for any political party, it should
speak against constitutional infractions.
“A deputy governor linked to the purported rumour of defection has the
right of freedom of association. What is the business of a commissioner
of police?
“Nobody knows where we are headed in this country. It is unfortunate
that we have different laws and rules for different people,” he said.
The governor wondered why Femi Falana is not quick to condemn the role
played by the police in breaching the provisions of the Nigerian
constitution in Ondo State, the same way he condemned actions taken by
the Rivers State Government to save the lives of Rivers people from
COVID-19 pandemic.
“Human rights activists and people like Femi Falana are silent. Falana
will not talk because the matter has to do with Ondo State governor who
is his friend.
“There is no human rights issue in the Ondo State incident but when it
concerns Rivers State, he will be quick to act on issues he doesn’t even
have the facts. That is when you will see him come out and begin to
recite constitutional provisions.
“Today, I call on Femi Falana to speak out about the violation of the
fundamental human rights of the deputy governor of Ondo State.
“People think that we can be deceived when they play ethnic politics
always. People should not play this game as if Nigerians are fools.
When it suits them, they say one thing, when it does not suit them,
they say another thing. Falana should come out and tell Nigerians his
view on this issue as the world human rights defender,” he added.