Fear Trails Wike’s Engagement of 28,359 Aides

Vanguard News

SOCIO-POLITICAL group, One-on-One-Network yesterday accused Governor Nyesom Wike of plotting to unleash political violence against opponents in Rivers state with the State Government engagement of 28,359 aides across the state ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Suspicions have been mounting since Wike on Tuesday announced with immediate effect, the appointment of 28,000 advisers into various political units in the state, 319 Ward Liaison Officers and 40 Local Government Area Liaison Officers to play undefined “pivotal role in his administration”, according to the governor.

In its fears over the development, One-on-One-Network in a statement by Loveday Nweze, Director General, alleged stakeholders, “Have been witnesses to executive rascality and abuse of office being exhibited by the Governor of Rivers especially as it relates to the forthcoming general elections.

“First, he pronounced and signed what we considered Decree (Executive Order) 21, only fashionable and workable in a military Junta and not the democracy we professed to be practicing, which mandates political parties to get near-impossible government approval for political activities, after paying as high as a non-refundable five million naira per activity.

“This is clearly intended to frustrate activities of perceived political opponents and opposition political parties. Wike when he contested to be Governor was up-in-arms against then Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and he was not prevented from using any of the State owned facilities for his political activities and engagements.

“Yesterday’s appointment of over 28,000 persons is another illustration that the Governor’s intention is a subterfuge towards unleashing political violence in Rivers ahead of the 2023 elections. Why is the governor desperate to bring further opprobrium to the state by wasting scarce resources on frivolities when our parents are still being owed, denied pensions and gratuities and our various communities yearning for developments?

“A conservative monthly payment analysis of N200,000 each to the 28,359 new appointees will set the state back to a billions of naira monthly and added to other operational cost such as transportation and others, much will have gone down the drain from the state coffers.

“Already, Wike’s penchant for constricting the political space by obnoxiously narrowing mobility and visibility of intra and inter party opposition and dissenting voices has been clearly established thereby necessitating the urgency of appropriate authorities and accountability groups to rein him in before he turns Rivers into a cauldron of violence and insecurity as we build down to the general elections.

“Rivers people do not deserve to bear the brunt of Wike’s frustrations being so recklessly expressed and exhibited in the tissues of irrational and uncoordinated actions and policies arising from his dual defeats in his Presidential and Vice Presidential bid.

“Not even President Buhari, who has a wider and larger jurisdictions as President, has appointed that number of persons in one fell swoop. Infact, it has never happened in the history of the country be it state or national.”

Wike approves N1Billion for flood victims

Amidst the apprehensions, Governor Wike on Wednesday approved one billion naira (N1Billion) to provide emergency relief to victims of worsening floods in hardest hit Ahoada West and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State.

In a statement through his Media Aide, Kelvin Ebiri, the governor in empathy with the flood victims has also set up a taskforce to coordinate distribution of the relief materials to affected communities.

Wike said, “The One Billion Naira by the State Government is to enable vulnerable families, particularly in Ahoada West and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs, the most impacted areas in the State, to cope with the devastating flood water which has inundated homes, farmlands and forced residents of affected communities to relocate to safer places.

“The Permanent Secretary, Special Services Bureau (SSB) in the Office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. George Nwaeke, will serve as the chairman of the Taskforce, while, Mrs. Inime I. Aguma, is the Secretary.

“Other members of the Taskforce are, the Chairman of Ahoada West LGA, Hon. Hope Ikiriko; Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Hon. Vincent Job; Hon Chukwuemeka Onowu and the Director of Administration in the Ministry of Special Duties.”