The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has declared that the illegal use of operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and military personnel to cause rancour ahead of the congress of the All Progressives Congress in the state has vindicated him.
Wike stated that the series of statements released by APC stakeholders on the illegal activities of SARS personnel in the course of their forthcoming congress should attract the attention of all well-meaning lovers of democracy.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by retired military and para-military officers of Ogoni extraction at the Government House Port Harcourt on Friday, Wike said if security agencies can be negatively used during a party congress, Nigerians should expect electoral mischief, masterminded by security agencies in 2019.
He said: “In an ordinary party congress, over a platoon of soldiers and more than 200 SARS personnel have been handed over to one man.
“If these operatives protect just one man, other communities are left without protection.
“Even the notorious election rigger, SARS Commander Akin Fakorede, is operating without check because he has the support of the Police High Command.”
Wike said conflicts during elections are generated by overzealous security agents detailed to manipulate the process.
The governor urged the retired military and paramilitary senior officers to use their contacts in the military to prevail on them to respect the rule of law in a democracy.
He stated that his administration will continue to invest in the promotion of security of lives and property across the state.
Wike thanked the retired military and paramilitary senior officers of Ogoni extraction for their desire to contribute to the development of the state.
He urged other leaders to emulate the Ogoni retired officers.
Leader of the Retired Military and Paramilitary Officers of Ogoni Extraction, Rear Admiral John Nicholas Bakpo, thanked Wike for infrastructural development of Ogoni communities.
Bakpo said as retired military and paramilitary senior officers, they are willing to offer their services for the security of Ogoniland.