One of the political leaders of Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside has berated the state governor, Nyesom Wike for always being involved in needless controversies and accusations of trying to corrupt federal institutions.
In an interview with journalists at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Peterside said the outcome of Nigeria Police investigation linking Nyesom Wike to over N100m bribery of INEC officials during the December 10, 2016 re-run election is one too many for a governor that has been linked to everything but good.
He listed several other instances to include alleged bribery of former Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Dame Gesila Khan; attempts to induce some high-ranking judicial officers, compromise of security officers, amongst others.
The former Rivers All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate expressed regrets that the governor is rubbishing the hard earned reputation of Rivers people who are known to be “industrious, responsible, decent and dignified.”
“The latest embarrassment from the governor is indeed shocking. Here is a man who has been boasting that his party can win election. If this is true, why was he so desperate to the point of inducing electoral officials to do his bidding with our commonwealth?
“I have always said it that if free and fair election is allowed to take place in Rivers state, the APC will win convincingly. We have the people behind us and they know who can best represent their hopes and aspirations.
“Rather than the governor and his cohorts to avail themselves the opportunity of defending allegations against them, Wike ran to court in Abuja desperately seeking to stop the Police IG Panel. If he has nothing to hide, why didn’t he tell his boys to appear before the panel if only to prove their innocence?
“But the same governor has now set up a kangaroo panel in Rivers state to look at issues surrounding the same December 10 rerun election and he expects people to turn up. What manner of a man would reason this way? Can’t he just rise above primordial sentiments and behave like a statesman?” Peterside queried.
The former House of Representatives member emphatically stated that he would continue to speak out on the failings of the Wike-led administration, adding that the collective will and aspirations of Rivers people would never be jettisoned through negligence and incompetence.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police to prosecute those involved in the bribery scandal to serve as deterrence to others, while calling on Rivers people not to lose hope but continue to pray for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in the steady progress to turn the fortunes of the country around after many years of decay.
