Amaechi, Rivers Police Boss Clash

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

The Governor Rotimi Amaechi-led Rivers State Government is on a collision course with the state Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunshakin after the police boss warned the governor against campaigning during his ward tours.

The State Government in a statement signed by Commissioner for Information, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, decried the tone of the statement credited to Ogunshakin and said it was concerned about the implication of the same.

Semenitari said the administration of Amaechi considers participation a key element of democratic rule and good governance. As a result, it has consistently embarked on stewardship accountability fora and stock taking since Governor Amaechi assumed office in October 2007.

She stated that “town hall meetings, meet the people tours and engagement with professional groups and other publics is neither novel nor strange with the Amaechi regime.

“The alleged comments of the CP appear curious especially coming on the heels of the overtly political purported endorsement of Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, for governor by some members of the Rumuolumeni community and the visit of the wife of the President (Patience Jonathan) to local government areas in Rivers State.

“While the purpose of these obvious political gatherings of the PDP is campaign for 2015, CP Ogunshakin appears unable to see or hear any evil.”

The Rivers State Government says it is conscious of this but wishes to reassure CP Ogunshakin that it is not a brigand nor an irresponsible government.

The statement further said Governor Amaechi has clearly stated that the purpose of his ward tours is to find out the impact of his numerous projects on the people at the grassroots and what gaps still exist to enable him cross all t’s and dot all the i’s as his administration finishes its last lap.

The statement assured that Amaechi will not disregard the rules of engagement and that when it is set for campaign, it will be clear not just to the Rivers State police command but to the entire world.

“We will not hide our glowing light under a bushel. However, we would wish to respectfully request CP Ogunshakin to be even handed in his caution and ensure that what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. Ultimately, the people are his employers and it is first to God and then to Nigeria it’s citizens that he must owe his ultimate allegiance.”

Ogushakin took over as Rivers State Commissioner of Police after his predecessor, Mbu Joseph Mbu, had a running battle with Amaechi and was redeployed to FCT, Abuja, following public outcry over his heavy handedness and perceived excesses.