Governor Nyesome Wike of Rivers State has accused the Minister for
Transport, Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi of being responsible for the political
tension that has led to killings in the State.
Wike said Amaechi’s desperation and his desire to take politics of the
state personal is responsible for the political tension in Rivers State
The Rivers State Governor, also declared that his Principal interest is
to create a peaceful environment for the development of the state,
saying despite all the contrived distractions, his administration has
recorded superlative achievements.
Governor Wike also declared that his administration is premised on
truthful relationship with the Rivers people as he would fulfill all
his campaign promises.
The governor spoke on Easter Monday during a special appearance on
Channels Television Sunrise Daily Programme televised from Government
House, Port Harcourt.
He explained that his administration has taken concrete measures to
improve the security of the state through funding of security
interventions and provision of necessary logistics for all security
agencies. He noted, however, the security in the state has been
impacted negatively by the frequent unnecessary transfer of security
chiefs masterminded by the former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi
Amaechi.
He said: “I won’t make a promise that I will not fulfill. The problem most
politicians have is the bid to satisfy everyone. I don’t politicize
development. My interest is to deliver the best for Rivers people.
“In spite of distractions, we have succeeded in completing many abandoned
projects left by the previous government. We have cleared backlog of
unpaid salaries and pensions left by the previous government. We have
succeeded in restoring the judiciary and reopening courts shutdown by the
previous government”.
He added: “The Federal Government needs to allow Security Chiefs remain in
Rivers State to do their jobs & douse the tensions. I have had over three
Commissioners of Police removed since I became governor.”
Commenting on the death of the youth corps member during the rerun
elections, Governor Wike said it was unfortunate and painful. He said an
independent investigation and post mortem on the corpse of the corps
member must be carried out to ascertain the type of gun and bullet that
killed him and those who carry such weapons.
He explained that he had to increase the allowances of youth corps
members serving in the state in line with the present economic
reality. He said funds for the increment have already been approved.
Corps members serving in Port Harcourt will receive N10,000 instead of
the N5000 they were getting while those outside the State Capital
will be paid N15,000 instead of N10,000.
He said: “I have told the NYSC, we must know the kind of bullet that
killed the Corper. We want to know those who killed the Corper. The death
of a Corper during the rerun is painful. Investigation of his death has
been ordered”
The governor noted that majority of the media reports about violence in
the state were politically motivated and negatively influenced to cast
the state in bad light.
He said: “In spite of the bias media tag: ‘Rivers of blood’, our IGR is
improving and there is peace in Rivers State. There are no political
killings in Rivers State. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA crisis is cult related and
is being tackled.”
The governor noted that he has no regret warning those who plotted to rig
the polls.
“Election rigging, subverting the will of the people is one of the worst
crimes. I don’t regret warning election riggers from rigging elections in
Rivers State.
“The strength of PDP is overwhelming in Rivers State and it is evident on
the streets. PDP is popular in Rivers State and has won all elections
since 1999”, Governor Wike said.
He pointed out that it was his commitment to credible polls that took
him to the Mile One Police Station where the Ward 10 collation officer
who was abducted by suspected APC agents was held.
He pointed out that even in Opobo/Nkoro where INEC declared APC
winner, polling units results indicate that PDP emerged victorious.
He regretted that former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi has
taken the politics of the state personal, insisting on creating
crisis to further his anti-people interests.
He said: “The battle for Rivers State has become personal to Chibuike
Amaechi and he is escalating tensions in the State. Security Chiefs must
be allowed to remain and do their work to help tackle insecurity.”
The governor stressed that despite his commitment to the completion
of the numerous projects abandoned by Chibuike Amaechi, monorail will
not be one of them.
“Rivers people have told me not to touch the Monorail left behind by the
other government,” he said.