From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has urged personnel of the various security agencies to stop taking sides with politicians who use all tactics including religion to frustrate efforts at protecting life and property.
He insisted that Nigerian politicians must also stop the politics of religion, so that they do not burn the country down in the wake of campaigns towards the 2023 general elections.
The governor spoke when he hosted the new State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Okon Effiong, who led a team of senior police officers on a courtesy visit to him at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
“We believe we owe this country and we must also stop this politics of religion, so that we don’t instigate crisis and violence. You must go and tell the people what you can do, what we can offer.”
The governor emphasised that his administration has remained committed to the protection of life and property of all residents in the State.
“This is because of its belief that the people for which any development projects are provided for must feel safe and alive to use them.”
Governor Wike noted that any government that is unable to do so has failed in its responsibility and has no business being in governance.
“For me, there cannot be any good governance without the protection of life and property. Nobody can talk about good governance when there is insecurity everywhere. If you cannot protect your citizens, you have no need to talk about.
“Because if you’re doing roads, people must be alive to use the road. If you’re building good school, people must be alive to go to school. So, it is key that you owe your citizens protection of their lives and property. And so, for us as a government, that is the sole aim of being in government.”
He assured that since the security agencies are the institutions saddled with such duties, his administration has always and will continue to provide requisite support to them so that they can discharge their security operations effectively.
Governor Wike expressed the hope that the new Commissioner of Police would bring his vast experience in operations and crime fighting to bear in Rivers State.
He urged commissioner not to be intimidated against doing what is right, take the fight against crime and criminality to the den of criminals in order to dislodge them.
Governor Wike acknowledged the untiring efforts of the Inspector General of Police, Akali Baba, in insisting on professionalism among his officers and making sure they remain committed to crime fighting.
The Rivers State governor praised the immediate past Commissioner of Police, Mr. Friday Ebuka, for staying true to his professional calling.
Mr. Okon Effiong, the 43rd Commissioner of Police to Rivers said, he would operate a policy of zero tolerance to crime and criminality.