Rivers State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Chief Nyesom Wike has said that the establishment of state police would be one enduring approach to addressing the festering insecurity in Nigeria.
This is even as the leading presidential aspirant has urged all members of the party to close ranks with a new resolve to clinch electoral victory in the 2023 presidential election for the party.
Wike while wooing delegates of PDP in Taraba State when he met with them in Jalingo, yesterday, dismissed the argument against the need for state police.
“The Federal Government, you cannot stop this insecurity if you don’t have state police. You must have state police; there is no two ways about it. Having a state police does not mean you will not have a federal police. All over the federal system, even councils have their own police so that you employ people who know the environment.
“You cannot take a stranger to go to Mabila, it will take him years to understand that place. You can’t take a stranger and go to Donga or Chanchangi. So, you need people who know the environment so they will be able to take care of the place.
“If federal offences are committed, the federal police should handle them. If there are state offences, the state police should handle. So, one key thing to stop this insecurity in Nigeria is to have state police.”
The Rivers State governor said those opposing state police often argue that if allowed, state governors would use it against their opponents.
“The question is will the governors be in office permanently? So, that argument is neither here or there. If this party called APC government loves Nigeria and are committed to Nigeria, one project that they would have given to Nigeria is the creation of state police.”
Wike explained that the beauty of establishing state police was to ensure that people who are indigenous to an area are engaged in policing their environment.
Speaking further, Wike told the delegates that he was presenting himself to them to be given the presidential ticket to fly the party’s flag in the 2023 election because he was prepared to end the many troubles facing Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria needs a leader who is forthright, can speaks the truth always and competently be the Commander-in-Chief who goes to the field where Nigerians can relate with their daily experiences.
“The one problem that our (PDP) government (under me if elected) must solve is to bring down the level of insecurity in this country otherwise there is no way the economy can grow.
“When bandits hear my name they will run because I will take the war to them. I will be the Commander-in-Chief in action.
“I’ll be commanding in projects, in security, in agriculture and the economy together with the armed forces. I’ll be commanding every aspects of life that will make Nigerians happy. This is because I have the capacity to solve the problems of Nigeria.”
Wike lamented the incidences of bomb blast in parts of the country and at railway tracks.
He described such incidences, including the operations of Boko Haram and bandits that have killed most Nigerians as the legacy of the APC-ledFederal Government.
Similarly, the Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku also harped on the need for creation of state police.
He lamented the state of insecurity in Nigeria, and expressed optimism that if PDP returns to power in 2023, the party would restore the lost glory of the country.
“He (Wike) speaks the truth, he fears nobody, and he is a workaholic. You have seen how he has turned Rivers State to a working site. We welcome him. We know what he has said; if God permits he will do it.
“Nigeria is yearning for leadership. He has said it; hunger doesn’t know East, South or West. Kidnapping doesn’t know South, East or West. Security is security. If there is no security there is no economy. If there is no economy, the country does not exist.”
On his part, former Gombe State Governor, Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo, described Wike as a faithful party man with requisite experience to lead Nigeria.
“He is a true party man. Wike joined the party in 1998, and he is still in the party. He has never left even when the going was tough. When great people ran away, Wike stayed. He did not only stay, because he did not have anywhere to go, he contributed in building the party, in making the party stable and ensuring that the party continue as a growing concern.
“I have been to Rivers State while I was a governor, and have also been to Rivers State while I left as a governor. This is a man that has performed extremely very well. In education, health, social interaction of people, and most importantly, in security. In the area of security which is our major problem in Nigeria today, Wike has stabilised the Niger Delta today, particularly his own state of Rivers.
“You can remember how Rivers was eight years ago and you see how Rivers has become one of the most visited states in Nigeria today. Companies are coming back, revenues have double, you know this is important in all the states, when you lost revenue because people are leaving. People have come back, investments have come back, development is in force.”
Similarly, the Presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike has urged all members of the party to close ranks with a new resolve to clinch electoral victory in the 2023 presidential election for the party.
Wike gave the charge while wooing delegates of the party in Adamawa State, yesterday when he met with them in Yola.
The governor said that in working for electoral victory, PDP requires a leader that is very courageous, fearless and has the capacity to turn around the misfortune foisted on Nigeria by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“God has given us (PDP) the opportunity to present me. So, on that day of primaries, my dear delegates, it is in your hands to give me the ticket.
“We must make sure that we work together for the party to win election. Whoever emerges, we will all join hands together and work for victory to come to PDP.”
Wike explained that he was presenting himself for the exalted office of the president of Nigeria because of his records of success.
He restated the need for PDP to give its presidential ticket to the person who has capacity to win election for the party.
“This time around, there is no sentiment of where you come from. What PDP needs now is to win election.
“That person who you would present today and can face the All Progressives Congress (APC) and face this federal government to win the election in 2023, that person is me.”
The governor warned that If PDP makes the mistakes again and lose the 2023 election, it may likely spell doom for the party.
“This is our last chance to take back power from this bad party called APC. If you make the mistakes again, and we lose the 2023 election then you’ll know that PDP will be finished.”
The Rivers State governor told them that he was aware that their father and leader is also in the race, but his love for Nigeria and what he has accomplished are towering credentials for them to consider.
“You require a leader that is very courageous. You require a leader that is very fearless. You require a leader that has capacity. I know one of your sons, one of your fathers; our leader is running with me. But, I want to appeal to you; I have the capacity to win. Don’t make mistake, I am the one to win this election. So, join me now, the train is moving. Every state you go to now, you don’t hear any aspirant other than Wike.”
According to Wike, he and few others stood firm in protection of the party when there was a problem that would have killed it.
“I have worked for this party. When there was problem in this party, few of us stood firm and said PDP will not die. I am happy today that PDP is very strong. One good turn deserves another. I want to appeal to you; I have the capacity to win. Don’t make mistakes about it. I am the one to win this election.”
In his remark, the PDP Chairman in Adamawa State, Tahir Shehu, commended Wike for traversing various states of the federation, including Adamawa, canvassing for votes ahead of the PDP convention next month.
Shehu expressed delight that Wike has not only remained in the PDP since 1998, but has continued to sustain the party financially, morally particularly in non-PDP states.
“I call you the Field Marshal of PDP because I know how you sustain the party in the state, particularly the non-PDP states. We know what you did.”
He further added: “We are aware of your pedigree and your track record. All those that are aspiring in PDP who showcase themselves are capable and more than capable not only to ruling Nigeria, but rule the entire Africa. But please, my plead to all of you is for you to put the interest of the country first and then the interest of our party before our individual interest, because none of the part of Nigeria that has not have more than enough suffering.”