Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has publicly renounced any plans to seek illegal favours from the Army stationed in the state. The governor has sternly advised the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 6th Division in Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, not to allow politicians to penetrate him.
Wike specifically said he would never approach the military or any heads of the security agencies in the state to do what is wrong. “Why nobody has been able to defeat us is that our hands are clean. I will never call you to release an arrested criminal, cultist or kidnapper. If anyone who is working with me seeks such favour, inform me.”
Speaking during a visit by the Army General, Felix Agugo, the new GOC to the Government House Port Harcourt last Friday, Wike said some politicians make promises to military officers, only for them to abandon them later.
He said: “Don’t allow politicians to use you. Otherwise, they will use and dump you. They will tell you that they will make you this or that, but at the appropriate time, all their phones would be switched off. Do the right thing and society will move forward.”
The governor said if the military restricts themselves to their security duties, the country would be better for it.
Wike was part of the Goodluck Jonathan administration that was accused by the then state governor (Chibuike Amaechi) of using the security agencies especially Mbu Mbu to seek to upstage him. Amaechi’s security retinue was removed at a point and teargas was thrown into the seat of power. There was tension.
He now noted that the initial situation where a GOC resumed work without visiting the Rivers State Government House but visited other adjoining states proved that something sinister was planned.
Earlier, the new GOC said: “I must place on record that I have inherited a Division that is grateful to the Government of Rivers State for your support for our operations and sustenance.” He also commended the Rivers State Governor for setting up the Operation Sting Security Outfit. He said that the Outfit complements the efforts of the Nigerian Army in security improvement.
