Federal Agencies Can’t Cow Me, Says Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that no level of intimidation or blackmail from federal agencies would scare him into “selling out the state to external predators.” This is as the

Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, Magnus Abe, has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would challenge the Commission of Inquiry set up by Wike to investigate the violence and other matters that occurred during the December 10 re-run elections in Rivers State. Abe also said lawmakers elected on the platform of the APC would forcefully match into the state House of Assembly to take part in the deliberations of the assembly since the Speaker had refused to swear them in. Speaking when he granted audience to the Rivers State Elders Council of Ministers (RISECOM) yesterday, Wike urged Rivers people not to panic “because nobody can take the state by force despite the sustained blackmail by the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).” Wike said: “This is a turbulent period. However, we will overcome. They can cow other governors, but not me. None of them gave me the mandate. The people of Rivers State gave me this mandate and I will never sell the interest of this state for whatever reason. I will not bring out the money of Rivers State to sponsor other people outside the state.” He told the Christian leaders that security agencies were frustrating the security architecture of the state to further their devilish plot to declare a state of emergency and thereafter bring a lackey to loot the state. He denied sponsoring anyone to protest in Abuja against the Federal Government, pointing out that those who planned to protest in his favour must have taken a cue from those who protested against him in Abuja.  “If they like, let them bring all manner of accusations daily, it will not cow me. Three days ago, they sponsored protests against me in Abuja with the Police leading the protesters.  “It is so unfortunate how they can descend so low. The DSS are unhappy because I stopped them from kidnapping a judge. Till today, they are yet to invite that particular judge.” The governor said: “I never sponsored anyone to protest. Assuming people want to protest, are we not in a democracy? “If I am the one who is the sponsor of the planned protest in my favour, who sponsored the protests against me? It means they are the people who sponsored the protests”. He assured the Christian leaders that he remains committed to the development of the state and the welfare of her people. 
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