Political Interference by FG Collapsed National Security, Says Wike

By Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has stated that the total collapse of national security is a fallout of the political interference of the federal government in the operation of security agencies.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the participants of Senior Executive Course 40, 2018 Study Group Three from the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru at the Government House, Port Harcourt Monday, Wike said the deliberate political actions of the federal government has compromised the security architecture of states.

“What we have seen in most cases is that security lapses are a result of political interference,” he said.

The governor said the case of Rivers State was exemplified by the transfer in and out of the state the newly promoted Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Akin Fakorede, who was allegedly an indicted election manipulator between March 29 and April 4, 2018 for the purpose of carrying out criminal electoral activities.

He drew the attention of the course participants to the indictment of ACP Fakorede as contained on page 66 of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Report into Rivers Rerun Elections wherein the Assistant Commissioner of Police was indicted for electoral fraud, violence and ballot box snatching and abduction of INEC officials.

“The man was given special promotion as a reward for the job he did for the police in Rivers State during the rerun. He has been transferred back to the state in preparation for their planned manipulation of the 2019 general election. They brought him back because of his expertise in ballot box snatching and election violence.

“The federal government has laid the foundation for crisis and violence in 2019. They are the ones who perpetrate crisis. We are peace makers that is why we are drawing the attention of the international community to these actions,” the governor said.

Commenting on the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Wike said the agency was established to complement the work of federal security agencies.

He said the organisation, which was fashioned in line with an existing model in Lagos State, was under the leadership of respected retired military, police and paramilitary senior officers.

The governor said while the federal government allowed the Neighbourhood Safety Corps to thrive in Lagos, Nasarawa and Kaduna States for political expediency, they oppose it in Rivers State.

“The federal government security agencies lack the personnel and equipment to provide security for all communities. The Neighbourhood Safety Corps will complement their efforts. Apart from payment of salaries, the state government funds the logistics and operations of the security agencies,” he said.

In his remarks, the leader of the Senior Executive Course 40, 2018 Study Group Three from the NIPSS, Kuru, Rear Admiral Ahamefule Eluwa, said the group was working on how to proffer solutions to the security challenges facing the country.

He said the theme of this year’s course as approved by the president is: “Strengthening internal security framework and community policing in Nigeria: Models, policy options and Strategies.”

He said the NIPSS Study Group would study the Neighbourhood Safety Corps established by the Rivers State Government for the security of the state.

According to him, as everyone is seeking for effective security models, Rivers State has already taken bold steps to secure the state.