Nigerians Won’t Honour Polls’ Riggers, Wike Tells Armed Forces …Says Army Has Lost Its Integrity, Pledges To Sustain Peace, Security …Pledges Not To Impose Anybody On Rivers People In 2023

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that Heaven and Nigerians would never honour members of the Armed Forces engaged in the snatching of ballot boxes and rigging of elections.
Speaking during an inter-denominational church service marking the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom, yesterday, Wike urged them to be professional and apolitical.
The governor said: “We are not honouring those who are unprofessional and carry ballot boxes to influence the electoral process.
“I urge members of the Armed Forces to choose the right path in the interest of the country. It is unfortunate that the military has lost its integrity because of some unprofessional personnel. Nobody is afraid of the military because of their unprofessional conduct.
“Those who come to rig election or kill Rivers people, Heaven will never remember them.”
Wike said that he has been vindicated by the admission by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman that security agencies were responsible for the electoral malpractices that marred the last general election.
He said: “I thank God that the chairman of INEC has owned up that the problem with elections is the security agencies. This confirms all I have said in the past.”
The governor, however, praised the Armed Forces for the roles they have played in preserving the unity of the country.
“But for them, kidnappers, cultists, insurgents and armed robbers would have taken over the country “, he added.
Wike called for the institution of a reward system to encourage soldiers to put in their best for the country.
In a sermon, Ven Samuel Chimele called on soldiers to be professional in the discharge of their duties to the nation.
He said: “As we remember our fallen heroes, be professional. There are temptations to the military to be unprofessional, but strive to be professional.”
He said that soldiers who engage in unprofessional acts would go unrecognised in the long run, even when they enjoy earthly promotion.
The cleric said that the military have no business attempting to enthrone different levels of leadership in the country, and advised them to focus on providing security and defending the nation’s territorial integrity.
In the sermon titled: “Faithfulness in Service: The Hallmark of a True Soldier”, Ven Samuel Chimele warned soldiers against the ruthless use of power against the national interest.
Prayers were said for the fallen heroes and God’s blessing upon their families.
Prayers were also said for the government and people of Rivers State, the Federal Government and the Armed Forces.
The international service marking the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration witnessed praise and worship, with offering to support the Nigerian Legion.
Earlier, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had said that his administration remains committed to working with members of the Armed Forces to promote the security of lives and property in the state.
Represented by his Special Adviser, Mohamed Aribitonye Okiri during a Jumaat Service to mark the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, last Friday, Wike commended the Armed Forces for their contributions to national unity and security.
He assured that he would continue to invest in security, because security promotes development and inflow of investments.
Wike urged the security agencies to partner with his administration for the sustenance of peace across the state.
The governor added that the Rivers State Government would continue to support ex-servicemen and the families of war heroes who paid the supreme price defending the country.
In his remarks, the Sole Administrator, Rivers State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abdulrazaq Cline Diepriye, thanked the Rivers State governor for his commitment to peace and the development of Rivers State.
In a message, the Deputy Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Soliu Sai’d Olowo Okere, commended members of the Armed Forces for courageously fighting insurgents.
While praising the military for their role in preserving the unity of Nigeria, he said that the fight against insurgency was in line with the will of God.