A group, Centre for Public Trust (CPT) has kicked against the exclusion of Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, deputy governor of Rivers, from the state task force on COVID-19.
In a statement, Sotonye George, its head of programme, wondered why Nysom Wike, the governor, did not include Harry-Banigo on the team despite her experience as a medical doctor and public health professional.
”It is believed that her exclusion was a deliberate attempt by the governor to make sure that nobody challenges his decision by providing any counter professional advice,” the statement read.
“Her absence on the team is a huge gap that has paved a way for Governor Wike’s continued ill-informed highhandedness which has led to avoidable negative consequences, the group said.
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”We are not surprised that Wike did not include Dr. Banigo in this whole covid-19 thing. He is afraid of his shadows. CPT wholeheartedly condemns this display of inferiority complex which comes at a huge cost to the health of Rivers people. Many of us believe that the governor may be intimidated by the credentials his Deputy and does not want anybody to challenge him.”
The group also alleged that some of the governor’s loyalists in the state house of assembly are preparing impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor.
”These uncoordinated efforts could affect the battle against the infection which is said to be spreading in the state,” the group warned.
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