Is Gov. Amaechi-Police relationship jinxed?

The relationship between the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, and the Nigeria Police Force further nosedived last week, making many to wonder if things will ever be normal again between both parties.

Amaechi had, in response to the withdrawal of police security to politicians last week, alleged that the action was to facilitate the assassination of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

Addressing a press briefing, Amaechi also said that he had lost confidence in the Police to be unbiased in the coming elections.

Responding via a statement last Thursday, the Police Commissioner in the state, Mr. Dan Bature, described the allegation as spurious, adding that the “vituperation were frustrating signs of the government’s inability to pressure the police to release hardened criminals involved in sundry heinous crimes.”

Those were strong and unacceptable words from both parties.

No doubt, this latest allegation by Amaechi has worsened the already strained relationship between the governor and the Force.

It would be recalled that the governor had had a running battle with former Police Commissioner in the state, now Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu. His successor, Tunde Ogunsakin, now Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 6, could not be said to have truly fared better with Amaechi.

Something, many say, must be wrong. It is either that the Police Commissioners have ‘refused to be pocketed’ by the governor as many allege, or that the Police commissioners are deliberately looking for trouble.

Whatever may be the case, the cat and mouse relationship between the governor and Police chiefs must stop.