Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has urged the Chief of Army
\nStaff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, to make a difference and stop Army
\ninvolvement in politics.<\/p>\n
He said such call has become imperative owing to the despicable role
\nplayed by the immediate past Chief of Army Staff who was not only
\ngrossly partisan but encouraged other Army officers to become political
\ncollaborators.<\/p>\n
Governor Wike gave the charge when he received the Chief of Army Staff,
\nLt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, on courtesy visit at Government House,
\nPort Harcourt on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The governor said such political\u00a0 involvement saw the Army attempting to
\nupturn the mandate of Rivers people during the last general elections.<\/p>\n
“We know that with the kind of experience you have, and with your level
\nof education, the difference will be clear. Let me use this opportunity
\nto say there is a need for you to make a difference, to bring back the
\nrespect Nigerians use to have for the Armed forces.<\/p>\n
“In those days when you see a soldier you run, these days it is
\ndifficult because soldiers have been exposed to politics. I want you to
\nmake a difference, to say your interest is to protect Nigerians; to
\nfight bandits, to fight insurgency and not to carry ballot boxes.<\/p>\n
“It was a big shame, what happened in 2019 in this State. I am sure you
\nmust have watched it on television. I am sure you must have watched
\nwhere the 6 Division turned to INEC office with ballot papers
\neverywhere.”<\/p>\n
Governor Wike also challenged the Chief of Army Staff to be more
\npatriotic to the country and stop the role the Army and other security
\nagencies play in encouraging non performance by\u00a0 elected political
\noffice holders.<\/p>\n
He said if politicians know that soldiers and police officers will not
\nbe contracted to rig elections for them, they will be more responsive to
\nthe electorate because their votes will count.<\/p>\n
“Election in Nigeria is no longer determined by performance. It is
\ndetermined by you being connected to security agencies and INEC. If it
\nwas based on performance you’ll see most politicians will change. If you
\ndon’t perform they will vote you out. ”<\/p>\n
Speaking further, Governor Wike acknowledged that the new Chief of Army
\nStaff has started off his assignment well, which has begun restoring
\npublic confidence in the Army.<\/p>\n
Governor Wike harped on the need for the withdrawal of Army officers
\ndrafted as security personnel to guide politicians because it reduces
\nthe number of officers available to protect the sovereignty of the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
“I believe you will show\u00a0 difference that you are not here for
\npoliticians . You’re here to protect the territorial integrity of
\nNigeria. From the little you have done since you came, we are beginning
\nto see difference, but don’t change.”<\/p>\n
He urged him to continue on the path of professionalism, commit to
\nfighting cultists, insurgents and all criminality, to ensure that
\nNigeria is safe.<\/p>\n
The governor reiterated that he will never\u00a0 tolerate\u00a0 any secessionist
\ngroup that wants to use the State as base for its nefarious activities.<\/p>\n
“All those who are talking about their independence, they can go
\nanywhere, but not from here. We are not part of any secession.<\/p>\n
“We will support the Army and other security agencies to make sure they
\nreduce the level of crime and criminality in this State.”<\/p>\n
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru\u00a0 said he was in
\nthe State on assessment of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army.<\/p>\n
Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru\u00a0 commended the governor for the prevailing
\npeace and security in Rivers State and his zero tolerance for separatist
\ngroups<\/p>\n
“I also thank you for your continued non tolerance approach against
\nseparatist groups and also your contribution in promoting peaceful
\ncoexistence among the various communities that lives in Rivers State.”<\/p>\n
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has urged the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, to make a difference and stop Army involvement in politics. He said such…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":79300,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-79299","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n