The latest action of Governor Nyesom Wike in alleging that men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police are responsible for the spate of kidnapping and other criminal activities has been described as a “significant threat to peace in Rivers state” as the people may turn against security agencies.
Expressing disappointment over the less than honourable action of the Rivers governor, one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in the state, Dr Dakuku Peterside says though “Rivers people are used to Wike’s comical antics, his politicisation of severe security issues constitute a threat worse than terrorism.”
According to him, “Wike has become such a serial liar that nobody takes him seriously again. On several occasions, the same governor had made numerous allegations against the Inspector General of Police, Rivers Police Commissioner, SARS, Army, Navy, Airforce, amongst other but has been unable to provide a shred of evidence to buttress his allegations.
“Not too long ago, the governor alleged that the Police IGP had ordered the newly deployed Police Commissioner in the state Zaki Ahmed to assassinate him, just as he claimed that the IGP had concluded plans to plant a gun and some monies in his house at Asokoro Abuja in order to implicate him in a crime.
“Same Wike laid claims to $45m found at a residence in Ikoyi, saying it belonged to Rivers state government and when the court gave him the opportunity to prove his case, he ran away. In another matter, he claimed he had awarded a road project in far away Benue state, but when asked to provide details, he chickened out.
“Wike has now made himself a laughing stock before Nigerians. People now see Wike as someone who cries first when he is up to mischief and trouble. He represents everything that is not associated with the great and industrious Rivers people.”
Dr Peterside, who is also the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), stated that with the governor alleging that the Police in Rivers state and notably the SARS are behind the killings, kidnappings and robberies, he is indirectly jeopardising their lives and opening them up for mob action.
“He should please put a stop to his demeaning behaviour of making false and unsubstantiated allegations against the Rivers state Police command, particularly the FSARS, who are serving and protecting the people of Rivers state with their lives.
“It is sad and regrettable that a governor could be so mindless as to use the death of a poor police inspector who was killed in the line of duty to gain political mileage and undue political advantage through blackmails and blatant lies. No state governor in our political history as a nation has descended to this shameful and abysmal level.
“A governor who lacks the knowledge and understanding that he ought to consult and verify security reports from appropriate security sources before making public statements on safety issues is a misfit for the exalted office of a state chief executive,” he declared.
Dr Peterside called on Governor Wike to respect the office he occupies and learn to speak with “finesse, decency and reason,” as he holds the hopes and aspirations of Rivers people in the interim.
