The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said that there is no security challenge in the state to warrant a visit by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said that instead, the planned visit of the president Buhari was to revive the “dead” All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The Presidency had announced that Buhari would be visiting states hardest hit by Boko Haram activities, herdsmen/farmers clashes, and cult-related activities.
Buhari visited Taraba on Monday and Plateau on Thursday, with Benue, Zamfara, Yobe and Rivers.
The purpose of the visit as highlighted by the presidency included enabling the president assess the situation firsthand and condole with victims and their families.
Recall that 17 persons were killed in Omoku, Rivers State while returning from Crossover Service on New Year’s Day.
However, in a statement through his spokesman Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor said the situation had since been brought under control.
Speaking at a road construction flag-off in the state, Wike said, “I hear they say that the President is coming to our state.
“I have not been told the president is coming and why he is coming. He has the right to come to any state.
“Maybe the president is coming to make sure that he will improve the fortunes of the APC that is dead in Rivers State.
“Apart from Jesus Christ, we don’t know of anyone who has risen a dead thing. APC is a dead party in Rivers State. No matter how you fast and pray, it will never wake up.”
He added that there was no security challenge in the state to warrant the president’s visit.
“We have never had herdsmen killings or crisis in the state, except when some criminals tried to disrupt the peace and they were checked. We resolved that challenge,” he added.
He said that kidnapping and armed robbery were becoming more rampant in all the states, so the president could as well visit all the 36 states.
Wike, while apparently mocking the planned visit, said, “Since the administration has abandoned Rivers State for three years, this visit may be a blessing in disguise.
“The president may use the visit to complete the Port Harcourt International Airport, the neglected East-West Road, the neglected seaports and the rejected Port Harcourt-Aba road.”