Governor Wike

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Rivers State All Progressive Congress, APC, has hit back at Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration, accusing it of issuing tissues of lie to deceive Rivers people and Nigerians  accusation that the federal government is planning to grant amnesty to 32 suspected cultists he recently declared wanted.

The Party dismissed the allegation as mere diversionary tactics by the state government to change the narrative as the federal government has started investigating and closing up on the real sponsors of the late notorious Don Wanny that had massacred hundreds of people from Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni local government area,  APC Spokesman, Mr Chris Finebone said in a statement.

Finebone alleged that the state government know so much about the rise and eventual death of Don Wanny which the federal government has vowed to uncover and the state government and its officials are panicky.

“The truth is that since the federal forces killed Don Wanny, Governor Wike security architecture has suffered irredeemable damage and it is making desperate attempt to change the well-known narrative that Don Wanny  and the PDP worked for each other. Those of you in the media know better.

“Governor Wike and his aides are making desperate attempts at mislead the ongoing investigation on who sponsored and funded Don Wanny. They know those who investigations will lead to hence the desperate attempt to divert attention but it is too late.

“The state government’s accusation against the federal government and APC is Governor Wike and his government at their wits end”APC Spokesman.

Governor Wike through Emma Okah,  the Commissioner for Information and Communications accused the federal government of planning to grant amnesty to 32 persons declared wanted to alleged criminal activities in the state.

Addressing journalists at the Government House Port Harcourt on Monday, Rivers State Information and Communication Commissioner, Mr Emma Okah said that credible intelligence indicate that the plot would be executed for political reasons.

Okah said: “The Rivers State Government is in receipt of credible intelligence that the Federal Government has concluded plans to Grant Amnesty to 32 Cultists Declared Wanted by the State Security Council.

“Details of the intelligence indicate that the Federal Government is granting the said cultists amnesty for the purpose of undue electoral advantage in the 2019 General Elections.

“This action is not a surprise to us because we have repeatedly said it that some officials and agencies of the federal government are frustrating the fight against violent crime and criminality in Rivers State. In particular, we have accused the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of involvement in and aiding violent criminal activities. ”

The Information Commissioner said: “This sad development coming at a time the State is winning the war against kidnappers and cultists is a major setback and a ploy to undermine the security of Rivers State.

“Each time, we record successes in the promotion of security, the Federal Government and her agents take deliberate steps to sabotage the security of the State at the instigation of some unpatriotic Rivers sons at the centre.

“We call on the International Community, Civil society organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to take notice of this deliberate act to compromise the security of Rivers State for ungodly political gains by the APC-led Federal Government. ”

The commissioner added: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government will continue to work closely with security agencies to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.”