The Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has emphasized the necessity of ending what he called the politics of religion in Nigeria.
The governor stressed that Nigerian politicians must cease playing the religion card in order to prevent a civil war after the general elections in 2023.
When Mr. Okon Effiong, the newly appointed police commissioner for the state of Rivers, paid Wike a courtesy call on Thursday while leading a group of senior police officers, Wike made this statement.
“We believe we owe this country and we must also stop this politics of religion, so that we don’t instigate crisis and violence. You must go and tell the people what you can do, what we can offer,” he said.
He advised employees of the various security services to refrain from siding with politicians who undermine efforts to preserve life and property by employing a variety of strategies, including religion.
The governor emphasized that the government must continue to be dedicated to protecting every resident’s life and property.
According to Wike, any government that is unable to do this has failed in its duty and has no business exercising governmental authority.
He said, “For me, there cannot be any good governance without the protection of life and property. Nobody can talk about good governance when there is insecurity everywhere. If you cannot protect your citizens, you have no need to talk about governance.
“Because if you’re doing roads, people must be alive to use the road. If you’re building good school, people must be alive to go to school. So, it is key that you owe your citizens protection of their lives and property. And so, for us as a government, that is the sole aim of being in government,” he added.
The new police commissioner has been urged by the governor to avoid engaging in political meddling in the state.
He encouraged the commissioner to guarantee that the political campaigns are peaceful, and the elections conducted in an atmosphere devoid of intimidation of the people.
According to the governor, the peoples’ votes will be counted if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refuses to be swayed, the police refrain from meddling in the election, and the judiciary demands that the law be followed.
“You have a role to make sure the people’s vote count, that the right person emerges. And when the right person emerges, you’ll see passion, and commitment in their work. The difference will be clear,” he said.