The Nyesom Wike-led Rivers State Government has petitioned the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff and other relevant authorities not to release army personnel to former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi or any politician to interfere in Saturday’s gubernatorial and state house of assembly election in the state.
In a state broadcast on Thursday, Wike said the state government decided to petition the government functionaries and security heads based on credible intelligence indicating alleged plans by Amaechi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to overrun and disrupt Saturday’s elections in Rivers State with army personnel and civilian thugs and cultists dressed in army and police uniforms.
The governor said Amaechi, who alongside the APC governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, were indicted by a Judicial Panel of Inquiry for fraudulently acquiring the state’s valued assets and diverting the State’s $50 million to themselves, wants to unleash violence during the forthcoming election.
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“We have written to notify the Hon. Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army, and the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, and requested that no military personnel is released to Rotimi Amaechi or any other politician to interfere with next Saturday’s elections in Rivers State.
“Furthermore, we have noticed that the Anti-terrorism Unit of the State Police command continues to provide VIP security services to politicians in defiance of the Inspector-General’s order to withdraw all police personnel attached to VIPs during the elections.
“We, therefore, request the Inspector-General of Police to enforce his order by ensuring that all political leaders are restricted to their polling units and prevented from moving about with police escort,” Wike said.
The governor also requested the security agencies to arrest and prosecute 27 local politicians allegedly plotting to disrupt the elections with armed thugs, cultists, and gangsters in military and police uniforms.
Wike identified the politicians as Dr. Lenoonu Nwibubasa, Bright Nwinyoodee, Barika Bareh, Friday Sinee, Dumbari Deezua, Neeka Ikina, Dr. Gabriel Pidomson, Giobari Poiba, Barisi Bonikoo, Hon. Mike Amachree, Paul Lawrence Paul, Anosike Odua, Mr. Ogbams Ojimah, Kenneth Chinda, Smiles Azundah and Gift Welebe.
Others include, Nwobueze Amadi, Chidi Wosa, Ugochukwu Wosu, Ndidi Erim, Lucky Mmai, Baridi Edmund Katara, Solo Filiman Mon, Charles Anyanwu, Christian Don Pedro, Iworiabo Amachree, and Arokosimiya Ikalama
Wike said the state government expects the security high command to live up to their assurance of providing adequate security beef-of throughout the state to forestall any security breaches or breakdown of law and order during and after the elections.
“We assure everyone that we will do everything within our power to resist and prevent a repeat of what happened in 2019 when the Nigerian Army was used to rig, kill our people and destroy property during the elections across the state,” he said.
The governor urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to guarantee and ensure that Saturday’s elections are free, fair, and credible, by allowing the electorate to decide their leaders.