From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said the state obtained intelligence reports that some misguided politicians have started recruiting cultists, former convicts and thugs in furtherance of their political aspirations for 2023.
The governor said the state government was aware that owners of hotels and entertainment centres were in the process of giving out their premises to politicians and political parties as a convenient base for the gathering of the political thugs across the state.
Governor Wike, in a state broadcast, yesterday, emphasised that the state government was not taking 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.
“Similarly, we will not allow any political party, be it the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party or the Social Democratic Party, to threaten the safety and security of lives 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.