Wike orders arrest of politicians who ‘exploit Buhari’s visit’

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, has directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute “any person, no matter his or her position, who attempts to exploit Mr. President’s visit for extraneous purposes that undermine the prevailing peace and security”.

President Muhammadu Buhari will be visiting Ogoni land to flag-off clean-up of oil spills in the area as recommended in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report.

However, Wike warned “desperate politicians” not to use the occasion of the visit to make unguarded statements that could inflame political rivalry and “precipitate unnecessary upheavals”.

He described Buhari as a “father of the nation”, saying the visit shows the president is bothered by the environmental and developmental challenges facing the state.

“I call on Rivers people, particularly the people of Ogoniland, to come out in great numbers and give our amiable President a rousing welcome during his visit,” he said in a statewide broadcast.

“Mr. President’s visit to the state is both historic and significant. It is historic because it marks his first official visit to the state since assuming office as the President of this great nation. It is most significant because Mr. President is not on a political mission but to kick-start the largest environmental cleanup in our nation’s history, for which Rivers people, and indeed the Niger Delta will remain grateful.

“Accordingly, his presence in Rivers State is not an occasion for political campaigns by anybody or political party. Rather, it is an occasion and an opportunity for us to demonstrate unity of purpose and our readiness to work together with Mr. President to move Rivers State and the nation forward.

“Let me therefore advise desperate politicians in our midst to be mindful of the charged social and economic situation in the country and refrain from making unguarded statements over Mr. President’s visit that could inflame political rivalry and precipitate unnecessary upheavals in the State.

“Rivers State has been peaceful and must remain so during and after Mr. President’s visit. The security agencies have accordingly been directed to arrest and prosecute any person, no matter his or her position, who attempts to exploit Mr. President’s visit for extraneous purposes that undermine the prevailing peace and security in Rivers State.”

Wike also banned the operations of motorcycles and tricycles in Gokana and Khana local government areas between 6 am and 6pm on Thursday.