Wike alleges politicians recruiting cultists to destabilise Rivers

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says he has received intelligence reports that some misguided politicians are already recruiting cultists, ex-convicts and thugs in furtherance of their political aspirations for 2023.

The governor said the state government waa aware that owners of hotels and entertainment centres were planning to give out their premises to politicians and political parties as a convenient bases for the gathering of these political thugs across the state.

Wike, in a state broadcast on Sunday, emphasised that the government is not taking the intelligence reports at its disposal lightly, and will therefore not allow any politician, no matter his previous or present position, the chance or opportunity to upset the prevailing peace and security in Rivers.

He said, “We will not allow any political party, be it the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to threaten the safety and security of life and property during the campaigns with mayhem, thuggery or violence.

“Accordingly, we have already alerted and set the security agencies on the trail of these misguided politicians and leaders of political parties and stop them in their tracks with the full weight of the law.

“We also wish to warn owners of hotels and proprietors of relaxation centres to take notice and desist from releasing their facilities for politicians and party leaders to use to meet and plot against the peace, safety and security of our state.”

The governor warned that the state government would demolish hotels and other entertainment places linked with such criminal political activities.