Rivers State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has called on the
Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, not to allow politics to
negatively affect the fight against insecurity in the country...
The governor
advised the IG to allow state Commissioners of Police to work with state
governors, as that was the only way that security can be promoted in the
country. Wike Speaking during a Public Lecture on Security organised by the
Inspector General of Police in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State yesterday, Governor Wike
said he had nothing personal against the IG, but pointed out that he will
continue to alert the Police Chief on security challenges in Rivers State. The
event had in attendance, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Usani Usani; the
governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade; that of Bayelsa, Mr Seriake
Dickson, represented by his duty, Mr. John Jona; Delta State governor, Mr.
Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by the Secretary to State Government, Mr. Festus
Agas in their goodwill messages said the Federal Government rather resort to
using dialogue in to addressing the various agitations. Usani, who chaired the
public lecture, revealed that militants have overwhelmed some governments in
some countries, noting that Nigeria was heading towards the direction. “For any
reason, if our agitations are not addressed through dialogues about issues that
concern us, it may result in our gradually walking towards the loss of a
nation, the loss of sovereignty, and none of us shall eventually be better for
it as we will no longer have assets that we can call our homes.” Wike, said:
“You (IG) must allow the Commissioners of Police to work closely with their
respective governors to improve the security architecture. Politicization of
security is a major crime. Commissioners of Police work with governors on the
basis of the governor’s relationship with the powers that be. This should not
be.” “Let’s not bring politics into fighting crime. A kidnapper does not care
about the political party of his victim. Nobody is immune from insecurity,
irrespective of status.” The governor said all stakeholders must collaborate to
improve security across the country. He said: “Let me further reiterate the
point that as the nation’s number one Police Officer, the buck on civil
security stops at the table of the IG and he is as accountable to the public as
any other public office holder. “I wish to assure you that Rivers State under
my watch will continue to support and collaborate with the Nigerian Police and
other security agencies as partners to combat insecurity not only in Rivers
State but also across the nation.” The governor urged the IG to look into
complaints by state governors, as they are important to improve security.
Usani, who chaired the public lecture on, “Insecurity: Socio-economic Impacts
and Conflict Resolution Perspectives,” organised by the Nigerian Police in Uyo
on yesterday, revealed that militant forces have overwhelmed some governments
in some countries, noting that Nigeria is heading towards the direction. Usani,
who chaired the public lecture, revealed that militants have overwhelmed some
governments in some countries, noting that Nigeria was heading towards the
direction. “For any reason, if our agitations are not addressed through
dialogues about issues that concern us, it may result in our gradually walking
towards the loss of a nation, the loss of sovereignty, and none of us shall
eventually be better for it as we will no longer have assets that we can call
our homes.” On his part, the host governor, Mr. Emmanuel said that there was no
federal presence in the region despite the region’s immense contribution
through its resources to the country’s development. According to him, FG must
provide security to ensure the flow of commerce and industry in the country.
Earlier, the IG, Alhaji Idris said that the security summit was aimed improving
security in the country. He said the Public Lecture Series will help the Police
understand the security challenges of the different geo-political zones.
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