Why We Won’t Succumb To Pressure From Criminals To Lift Curfew -Wike

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says the curfew imposed in the wake of dastardly attacks on security formations in Rivers State would remain in place despite sponsored criticisms against it.
The governor, who reiterated that he was not unmindful of the traffic difficulty experienced by residents of the state, particularly in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor while trying to beat the 8:30pm curfew time, argued that it was better to suffer inconveniences and be alive.
Wike defended the efficacy of the night curfew while speaking at the 60th birthday celebration of the federal lawmaker who represents Rivers South East Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Barry Mpigi in Port Harcourt.
The governor said, “Some criminals, who have not been succeeding in kidnapping, have been sending people to go on radio to say the governor should be reasonable, and that they don’t want the curfew again.”
He further said, “Criminals are the ones who are doing that. I will not agree. Life and property is important for me. All those criminals who have been sending people to go on radio to say that they are suffering, and that we should extend the curfew to 12midnight, to enable them kidnap people from 7pm, will not succeed. Don’t waste your time.”
Wike explained that the imposition of the curfew was based on security advise by law enforcement agencies, as a precaution to prevent further attacks on security formations in the state.
He enjoined residents and people of the state to learn how to make sacrifices, suffer the inconveniences of today to achieve a better tomorrow.
According to him, “I want all of us to be alive to take care of our children.”
The governor also disclosed the cheering news that approval has been given for a Nigerian Law School campus to be sited in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
“We have gotten approval to have a Law School in Port Harcourt. It is not about me, it is the legacy you leave. This was a Law School that was given to Port Harcourt, but the previous government rejected it, and it was sent to Yenagoa.
“Today, we have that approval that there must be a Law School in Port Harcourt. And I can assure you that in six months’ time, our Law School will be the best Law School in Nigeria”, the governor said.
He also announced that a Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded $1.1billion to the state in a lawsuit against the Federal Government.
The $1.1billion is entitlements of Rivers State based on the subsisting decision of the Supreme Court over production sharing contracts arising from the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts, and urged the Federal Government to release the total sum now to sustain the infrastructure development momentum in the state.
Wike thanked God for His grace and benevolence towards Mpigi and his family.
The governor, who recalled that his relationship with Mpigi dates back to when they were both council chairmen, urged the senator to remain a steadfast Peoples Democratic Party stalwart.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and former President of the Movement of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Barrister Ledum Mitee, thanked God for the life of Mpigi, whom he described as a politician with grassroots appeal.
Responding, Senator Barry Mpigi said he decided to celebrate his 60th birthday specifically to thank God for life, sound health and his reuniting with Wike.