Governor Nyesom Wike has been described as a full blown dictator who has no clear agenda of how to confront issues facing Rivers society, including leading the fight against COVID-19.
The former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside who issued a strong condemnation of the governor said Sunday’s demolition of two hotels by Governor Wike over alleged violation of an Executive Order has shown how hollow Wike is.
Peterside, emphasized that Wike’s callousness is no longer hidden, saying that the latest action of the governor was “wicked, insensitive, irresponsible and unlawful.”
Dakuku’s criticism is coming on the trail of Senator Magnus Abe’s warning that Wike may have embarked on a dangerous gamble.
Said Abe in a statement, “I am constrained to say these few words on the worrisome development in my dear state, Rivers.
The demolition and auction of private property, the closure of all sources of survival for citizens of Rivers state without due consideration for their means of sustenance in the name of the battle against Covid 19, are draconian measures that will prove counter productive in the long run.
“Lockdowns must come with clear provisions for the sustenance of the people, particularly the vulnerable population (the young, the old, the sick and the infirm) and exemptions must be made for emergency and essential services, such as foodstuffs , pharmaceuticals, press, medical care and security services, electricity, telecom, fuel supply etc.
“To do otherwise even in times of physical warfare is a war crime, for power without compassion is tyranny”
According to Dakuku Peterside, “Last week, Governor Wike made two broadcasts, where Rivers people expected him to lay out well-determined plans of how to ensure mass testing following the inauguration of molecular laboratories in UPTH and RSUTH with achievable timelines, while also strengthening other areas.
“However, no such thing was heard from the governor but threats upon threats as to how he would dethrone traditional rulers, how he will sack local government chairmen, how he will summarily arrest violators of the executive order and punish them, how he will auction their vehicles, amongst other threats. Governor Wike is not a law unto himself and cannot be the law.
“For good measure, the governor rounded up by saying he would demolish buildings or hotels found wanting in implementing his orders without recourse to the due process of law and natural justice that confers the right of fair hearing on the accused.”
While calling on Wike to retrace his steps, Senator Abe said, “The Rivers state war against Covid 19 at this rate runs the risk of dividing the state into two distinct camps, those who support the Governor and will justify, glorify and applaud any action taken by the Rivers state government no matter how callous and ill advised, and those who oppose the governor and will oppose every action of the state government no matter how well thought out or well intentioned the action may be.
“In the face of glaring excesses, everyone will be compelled to choose one side or the other, and our state will suffer.
“This need not be so, there is still time for the Rivers state government to reconsider its strategy, and understand that this is a scientific war against a virus and all of us will need to be involved.
“Governor Wike’s utterances do not suggest that he is fighting the coronavirus pandemic alone”, Dakuku intoned.
“His actions suggest that there is more than what he is telling Rivers people. He has become a dictator whose words must be obeyed or be damned,” the former NIMASA boss stressed.
Dr. Peterside explained that the fascist attitude of Wike was capable of leading to the breakdown of law and order, as those who bear the crude method of the governor and their families could resort to mass protest, capable of exposing the state further.
“This crude method of governance and law enforcement is obsolete, counterproductive and will put Rivers State and her people in bad light before the right-thinking members of society.
“While we all support the governor to ensure that the state is free from coronavirus, his transformation into a dictator and a god that must be worshipped will be challenged by all well-meaning Rivers people and Nigerians at the appropriate time.
“Governor Wike must change from this destructive path and follow that of responsible leadership that has a human face and not one that will turn him to a demi-god that must be offered sacrifices to assuage his anger, vengeance and greed,” Dakuku added.