It is trite that Rivers State, a hitherto progressive State in Nigeria has been on the reverse gear since the last 3 years when Gov. Wike took over, albeit, violently, as Governor. Even though much was not expected from this government, one never imagined that we would slide down so badly as it's the case now. Rivers people never thought that the Treasure Base Of The Nation would deteriorate to this unacceptable level where a State that was next to Lagos State in terms economic activities practically evaporated with the man at the helm of affairs taking no steps to halt the aberration he started for our common good. Rivers State is currently eclipsed from among States making progress economically and otherwise in Nigeria. What a plunge!
The current government under Gov. Wike care less about the people. He and his men only care about themselves and the depth of their pockets. They have not added value to the people in the last 3 years. Investments took flight as insecurity created by their forceful entry into government made the environment not conducive for business. Life became solitary, nasty, brutish, short and poor in Rivers State. They can halt the prevailing insecurity now. Establishing an armed Neighbourhood Watch Corp side by side with the Nigerian Police will worsen the security situation in Rivers State. Gov. Wike should just be sincere and transparent to Rivers people. That is all we demand.
The quick passage into law and the immediate assent of the imminent draconian Neighbourhood Watch Corp which is nothing but an official militia group of Gov. Wike is an affront on the extant laws relating to police, policing and security in Nigeria. The last time I checked, police and policing is still under the exclusive legislative list of government. It is neither in the concurrent list nor some kind of residual power to be legislated and implemented by any other tier of government. Again, the last time I checked, Rivers State is still a State in Nigeria. So, why would a State's legislature legislate on a piece of legislation they have no constitutional powers to engage in?
Whilst in the build up to the 2015 elections, the Rivers PDP under Wike's leadership raised an unofficial and secret group that terrorized, annihilated and exterminated opposing voices, and now in 2018, they are raising official militia to be funded by State resources to do the same thing they did to clinch to power again. Politics should not be a do or die affair. Power should not be obtained violently. Let Gov. Wike test his popularity without violence. Politics should be play not war.
Rivers people are in dire need of purposeful leadership. We expect Gov. Wike to take a deep breath and reconsider his stance on governance. Rivers people are heartbroken as development-human capital and physical are on recess now. Prosperity will definitely judge everyone, if not now, later.
All men of goodwill and conscience must arise and halt the impending conundrum. Our dear State must be rescued from this parochial, capricious and whimsical trajectory of men without scruples.
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