Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who is seeking to fly the presidential flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 is currently on the spot for alleged breach of citizens’ rights.
Rivers State which is the oil and gas capital of Nigeria is awash with worrisome allegations of repressive acts visited on the citizenry by the Wike administration. In some circles, the governor is even being tagged as ‘’a tyrant’’ and ‘’a dictator’’.
Interestingly, Governor Wike is aware of all the weighty allegations against him, and does not seem perturbed.
In a seeming daring statement by the Wike Spokesman, Kelvin Ebiri, he announced that the state government will like to state unequivocally, that it respects the inalienable rights of citizens and residents of the state to engage in peaceful and lawful expression of issues of interest to them. 
‘’However, the Rivers State Government will not tolerate protest activities, under whatever guise, that is intended to cause public disorder, infringement on the rights of other citizens and putting the protection of life and the safeguard of property at risk’’, the statement says.
The Wike administration is claiming that its attention has been drawn to threats by some unnamed persons and groups to unleash mayhem in the state.
These threats, according to the administration, are coming on the heels of the arrest of some alleged cultists involved in the unlawful disruption of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), screening exercise of aspirants vying for state and federal legislative seats in the 2023 general election.
‘’While political actors have a right to express their discontent through various lawful channels, engaging in any form of violent protests, particularly usage of cultists to undermine the rule of law will never be condoned by the state government.
‘’To this end, the Rivers State Government hereby issues stern warning to conflict entrepreneurs and ethnic chauvinists fanning the embers of discord that they will face “dire consequences” should they attempt to disrupt the prevailing peace in the state’’, says the Wike administration.
But, the opposition is claiming that Governor Wike is going after his perceived political opponents.
Apparently unshaken, it said, “as a government that respects and upholds the tenets of the rule of law, we will ensure that all those who choose lawlessness, and seek to destroy the country’s democracy, will face the force of the law.
“We also will like to warn conflict entrepreneurs, particularly in the opposition, that nothing good be achieved in instigating mayhem in the state. We wish to warn that the era of using thugs to influence outcome of election is over. Rivers voters will assess every political party based on their performance.”
“The Rivers State Government has hereby directed the law enforcement authorities to take appropriate and condign action against anyone or group threatening the peace and stability of the State.
“Law enforcement authorities must also bring to justice any person or group responsible for incitement to commit acts of violence and other forms of criminal conduct in the state.”
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