18th May, 2017
Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has advised the military high command to desist from posting soldiers on attachment to politicians.
Wike gave the advice on Wednesday at Oyigbo, Rivers State, when he flagged off construction work on the old Aba road by Mbano junction.
“It is undemocratic to attach soldiers to politicians because that could be counter-productive and pose a threat to national security.
“In a democratic setting, soldiers attached to politicians can be used for undemocratic activities,” he said.
Wike noted that only the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces had the privilege to have soldiers posted to guard him, and advised that such privilege should not be extended to other politicians.
He assured the people of Oyigbo Local Government Area that the project would be completed on schedule, adding that a contract for the construction of the Old Market Road to Afam in Oyigbo, would soon be awarded.
Wike promised to provide more routes to ease movement of goods and services and lubricate the Rivers economy.
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In his remarks, the Commissioner for Works, Mr Iheanyichuwu Bathuel, said that the Old Aba Road by Mbano junction was critical to Rivers’ economy being its major link to other states.
Dr. Gbali Chisom, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area, thanked the governor for awarding the road contract, saying that its completion would ease movement and shore up the tempo of economic activities.