Rivers govt to Rep Igwe: You can't escape arrest, prosecution

Wike

Wike and Chinyere Igwe

Chief of Staff to Rivers governor, Chief Emeka Woke has said no amount of blackmail will deter the State government from arresting and prosecuting Chinyere Igwe, a member of House of Representatives over his alleged involvement in sale of illegally refined petroleum products.

Governor Nyesom Wike had declared Igwe wanted for allegedly selling of illegally refined petroleum products in his petrol station.

Speaking at the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), Permanent Voters Card (PVC) sensitisation and mobilisation rally at Mogho in Gokana over the weekend, Woke insisted that the State government has constitutional obligation to decisively deal with anyone involved in acts inimical to the Nigerian economy.

“Anybody who allows his business premises to be used for illegal oil bunkering, that premises will be shut down. Whoever, allows his hotel to harbour criminals bent of destabilising the State, we will deal with you according to the law.”

The Chief of Staff, who urged Igwe to submit himself to security agencies for interrogation, however, warned him to desist from misleading the unsuspecting public with spurious claims that he was being politically victimized.

Woke, further took a swipe at Hon. Igwe for making derogatory remarks about Wike.

According to him, but for Wike’s benevolence, Igwe would have gone into political extinction.

“I listen to Chinyere Igwe yesterday talking about ingratitude. A man who had been retired politically. This is the man who spent only one term in the House of Representatives and came back home.

The immediate past governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, chased him out of Port Harcourt and he ran to Abuja. He even contested on the platform of ACN then, and lost woefully.

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“When we had mobilised GDI and had strengthened the party (Peoples Democratic Party), we brought him back and those of them whom he said he is speaking for now. None of them were foundation members of GDI.

“His Excellency, the governor gave him platform, first as a Commissioner and then to the National Assembly, even though he didn’t win the primary. And today, he is talking about ingratitude.”

Woke also urged media organisations in the State to be objective and abide by the ethics of journalism and resist being used as purveyors of spurious fake news.

The Chief of Staff lauded the people of Gokana who turned out en-masse for the GDI rally, for their unwavering commitment and support to the Wike’s administration.

Woke said governor Wike’s decision to dualised the over 31 kilometre Saakpenwa-Kono Road, is a sheer evidence of his love and appreciation to the Ogoni people for their support over the years.

Also speaking at the event, PDP governor candidate in Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, urged the people to jealously safeguard their PVC ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Similarly, the PDP chairman in the State, Desmond Akawor, commended GDI for sensitising the people of the State on the importance of the PVC.

However, Igwe has denied the allegations of dealing on illegally refined petroleum products.

He claimed that he is being politically persecuted for being an ally of Austin Opara,former Deputy Speaker of House Representatives and a diehard supporter of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

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