Rivers State Governor, Nyeson Wike, has called on the Federal Government to admit its failure to provide security of lives and property in Nigeria. He also berated the Force spokesman over his statement about Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom.
Wike was in Benue to commensurate with government and people of the state over the death of 73 persons killed by suspected herdsmen.
Governor Wike, who led leaders of his state, declared that his visit to Benue was not political but to share the pains of the people of the state.
He faulted the statement credited to the Force PRO calling governor Ortom ‘a drowning man,’ describing it as an “insult on person elected by people.”
“I have instructed the Governors Forum to react to that statement made by the Force spokesperson. It’s an insult that persons elected by their people would be referred to as ‘drowning.’ It’s only in this our democracy that you can hear that kind of statement.”.
He said he had instructed the Governors Forum led by the governor of Zamfara state to summon an emergency meeting for the issue to be discussed.
“The problem I have is that when we see issues that affect the nation, we play party politics with them. We should go beyond party politics. It doesn’t matter whether the governor is a PDP governor or APC governor.”
Speaking on the killings, Wike advised people of the state to start defending themselves and to also sleep with one eye closed.
He said he had envisaged all the problems facing the country, hence his penchant for “shouting out about the impunity of the present administration.”
“I was shouting this, but nobody believed it. Now it is in Benue… What I’m saying is that when a robber comes to your house and knocks at your door and you say ‘God help me,’you must help yourself first.
“They have inflicted serious injury on Benue, many have been turned into orphans, others into widows. Let the leaders admit their failure. Tell Mr. President that what is going on in this county is not acceptable.
You know everybody would want to be the favourite child to Mr. President; but for me, I always speak the truth. My salvation will come from God and not from man.”
In his response, Ortom thanked the people of Rivers State for the “show of friendship,” and reitrated his call for the resignation of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, for allegedly “failing in his responsibilities to arrest those already identified as behind the Benue attacks.”
While appreciating President Muhammad Buhari for asking the security agents to arrest killers, Ortom expressed concerns as to whether or not the IG would heed the call, stating that the earlier calls were largely ignored.
