Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has encouraged members of the various security services to refrain from siding with politicians who employ any strategy, including religion, to thwart attempts to preserve life and property.
In order to avoid destroying the nation in the wake of the campaigns leading up to the general elections in 2023, Wike stated that Nigerian politicians must also put an end to the politics of religion.
According to Kelvin Ebiri, the Special Assistant for Media said in a signed press release that Governor Wike spoke while entertaining Mr. Okon Effiong, the new commissioner of police for the state of Rivers, who paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday at the Government House in Port Harcourt with a group of senior police officers Okay.ng learnt.
“We feel that we owe this nation and that we must also put an end to this politics of religion in order to avoid causing unrest and violence. You need to get out and let others know what you can do and what we can provide.
The governor emphasized that his administration has continued to be dedicated to safeguarding the lives and property of all State residents.
This is due to its conviction that in order for any development projects to be used, the people for whom they are offered must feel safe and alive.
According to Wike, any government that is unable to do this has failed in its duty and has no business exercising governmental authority.
“In my opinion, there can’t be decent administration without the preservation of human life and material possessions. When there is unrest all over, no one can discuss effective government. You shouldn’t discuss government if you can’t safeguard your citizens.
“Because if you build a road, someone has to be living to utilize it. People must be alive in order to attend school if you are establishing a decent school.”
The fact that you owe your citizens security for their lives and property is therefore crucial. So, for us as a government, serving in office has only one purpose: to accomplish that.
He stressed that because the security agencies are the organizations charged with carrying out these responsibilities, his government has always provided them with the necessary support and will keep doing so in order for them to carry out their security operations in an effective manner.
Wike expressed the expectation that the incoming police chief would use his broad operational and criminal justice knowledge to benefit Rivers State.
Wike commended Akali Baba, the Inspector General of Police, for his tireless efforts in upholding professionalism among his personnel and ensuring their continued dedication to combating crime.
He further praised the immediate past Commissioner of Police, Mr. Friday Eboka, for staying true to his professional calling. According to him, instead of being used to destabilise the peace in Rivers State, he contributed his quota to consolidating on the efforts of crime fighting.
Wike informed, the State government will build a befitting Police station along Ada George Road in Port Harcourt.
The governor recalled how heads of security agencies in the State, particularly of the army, became involved in the election process in 2019, but were resisted by Rivers people.
The Governor told the new Commissioner of Police not to tread that path, but to ensure that the campaigns are peaceful, and the elections conducted in an atmosphere devoid of intimidation of the electorate.
He said if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused to be influenced, the Police stay away from interfering in the electoral process and the judiciary insist that the rules are complied with, the vote of the peoples will count.
“You have a role to make sure the people’s vote count, that the right person emerges. And when the right person emerges, you’ll see passion, and commitment in their work. The difference will be clear.”
In his speech, Mr Okon Effiong, the 43rd Commissioner of Police to Rivers State said, he will operate a policy of zero tolerance to crime and criminality.
“We have detained in the past four days more than 12 armed robbers and kidnappers. In the past four days we have rescued more than 12 kidnap victims. In the past four days we have recovered more than 6 vehicles.”
“We have found weapons and ammo during the last four days. The course of the law will be followed. We want to make it clear that we will not tolerate crime or criminal behavior.”
He commended governor Wike for providing the command with a variety of logistical and other forms of support, which allowed the command’s officers to operate at their best.