Rerun: Security agencies plotted to make Rivers State ungovernable, Wike alleges
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State on Tuesday alleged that the violence that characterized the December 10 legislative rerun elections in the state was orchestrated by security agencies with the aim of making the state ungovernable.
The governor, who alleged that the plot was politically motivated, announced that the Police High Command has arrested all his personal police details who accompanied him to stop SARS Commander, Mr. Akin Fakorede, “from rigging Rivers East Senatorial District.”
Addressing members of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council who paid him a Goodwill Christmas visit at Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor said that all the said policemen have been detained in Abuja by the Police High Command.
He claimed that the Police High Command was insisting that the policemen shouldn’t have accompanied him to stop Mr. Fakorede, and explained that he was compelled to take action “because the previous day, policemen and soldiers were used by the APC at Ikwerre LGA to beat up PDP agents and force Collation Officers to concoct results.
“The security agencies orchestrated plans to cause violence with a view to making the state ungovernable for ulterior motives. As I speak with you, all my personal police details who accompanied me to stop Fakorede from successfully rigging the Rivers East Senatorial District election have been arrested and detained in Abuja.”
The governor said that Rivers State has been peaceful since the conclusion of the rerun elections, saying: “Look at how peaceful Rivers State has become after the elections. Why was the election violent? It is because they wanted particular candidates to win and they wanted to rig in favour of such candidates.
“I was called to share seats. I said I will not participate in such a fraud. I insisted that the votes must count. Let everyone go for elections,” he alleged and berated INEC “for conniving with APC to print fake result sheets ahead of the elections.
He alleged that INEC and Police have swept the matter under the carpet and that many INEC staff who were “victims of violence by security agencies are under pressure from the electoral commission to deny the physical assault on them.”
The Chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, King Dandeson Jaja, Amayanabo of Opobo, in his remarks warned against the militarization of the electoral process.
The Amayanabo commended Governor Wike for always defending the rights of the people of the state as he lauded him for his developmental projects in the course of 2016, saying that his efforts had helped to improve the fortunes of the state.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (r) receiving a document from the Chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, King Dandeson Jaja, Amayanabo of Opobo during a Goodwill Christmas Visit on the governor by traditional rulers on Tuesday in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Rivers State Traditional Rulers praying for Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (seating) during their goodwill Christmas Visit to the governor on Tuesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (r) exchanging pleasantries with the Chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, King Dandeson Jaja, Amayanabo of Opobo during a Goodwill Christmas Visit on the governor by traditional rulers on Tuesday in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Cross Section of Traditional Rulers during a Goodwill Christmas Visit on the governor on Tuesday in Government House, Port Harcourt.
