Presidency to Wike: Rivers in crisis

The Presidency has justified the proposed visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Rivers State,  saying there is a security crisis in the state. 

Presidential spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in an interview at the weekend, was reacting to Governor Nyeson Wike's claim that Buhari’s visit was based on a wrong premise. 

Adesina explained that Buhari wanted to visit Rivers in order to condole with the families of the victims of the various killings in the state. 

“If he (Wike) doesn’t understand, the rest of the country understands. We understand, other Nigerians understand. Even people in Rivers state understand because on New Year/New Year Day, a minimum of 24 people were killed in Omoku. 

“So, is that not a crisis? And can you count the number of people that have been beheaded in Rivers state in recent times?

“People will be killed and heads will be cut off and the assailants will go away with the heads. So, can anybody say that there is no security issue in that kind of place?

“It’s left to the governor. He’s the chief security officer. If he says there’s no security crisis in his state, good luck to him.”

Asked what what would happen if Wike does not welcome the visit, Adesina said: “I’m sure he will be formally informed of date. So, if he now says he doesn’t want the visit, it’s left to him and the federal government to decide the next step. 

“But the president is visiting so that he can condole with people who lost their loved ones, 24 people minimum, were killed in Omoku. 

“So, those people are the reason. Those people and the many beheaded; relations of those beheaded and their heads taken away, are the reason why the president is visiting the state.”