2023: We Must Stop Politics Of Religion, Ethnicity, Wike Warns

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has warned politicians against uttering misguided comments on religion during campaigns for the 2023 general elections.

Wike gave the warning on Thursday when he received the new Rivers Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

He insisted that Nigerian politicians must avoid the politics of religion in order not to cause chaos and violence in the country ahead of the 2023 polls.

Governor Wike asserted that any government that is unable to do so has failed in its responsibility and has no business being in governance.

The governor maintained that his administration has remained committed to the protection of the lives and properties of all residents in the state.

He said, “We believe we owe this country and we must also stop this politics of religion so that we don’t instigate crisis and violence. You must go and tell the people what you can do, what we can offer.

“For me, there cannot be any good governance without the protection of life and property. Nobody can talk about good governance when there is insecurity everywhere.

“If you cannot protect your citizens, you have no need to talk about governance, because if you’re doing roads, people must be alive to use the road. If you’re building good school, people must be alive to go to school.

“So, it is key that you owe your citizens the protection of their lives and property. And so, for us as a government, that is the sole aim of being in government.”

Wike promised that his administration will continue to provide requisite support to the police and other security agencies so that they can discharge their security operations effectively.

The governor also urged the new commissioner to avoid associating with politics and work towards ensuring peaceful conduct of elections in the state.

Wike expressed the hope that the new Commissioner of Police will bring his vast experience in operations and crime fighting to bear in Rivers State.

He added that the people’s votes will count if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and the judiciary do not interfere in the electoral process.

“You have a role to make sure the people’s votes count, that the right person emerges. And when the right person emerges, you’ll see passion, and commitment in their work. The difference will be clear,” he said.

In his remarks, the new Commissioner of Police said he would operate a policy of zero tolerance to crime and criminality in the South-South state.