TheCable

Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, says Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, is playing “witchcraft” politics in the state.

Amaechi said this on Monday in reaction to the killings in parts of Rivers.

Thirty persons were reportedly killed in two separate attacks in the state, including in Omoku community.

In an address to Rivers citizens, Amaechi accused the governor of “failing” in his responsibility to protect the people.

He said the governor’s attempt “to justify and compare” the killings to whatever is happening in any other part of the country is “a deceitful, poisonous narrative that we must never allow to flourish”.

“The governor’s repugnant attempt at finger pointing, blaming oil companies, opposition politicians and everyone else apart from himself, is a clear indication that he has abdicated his primary constitutional responsibility to safeguard lives and property,” he said.

“The madness in Rivers state since the advent of these new men of power is rooted firmly in the witchcraft politics of those who now preside over the affairs of the state.

“They lack the political will and have devilishly refused to halt the violence and killings, and restore some level of sanity in the state because of their mischievous politics and voodoo electoral calculations.”

Amaechi added that he “battled and tackled insecurity” while serving as the state governor, saying: “I led the fight against the cultists, gangs, thugs and criminals masquerading as militants.”

“We cannot continue to live like this. The Omoku massacre is the breaking point where we must all collectively rise up and raise our voices to say we’ve had enough,” he said.

“The governor and chief security officer of the state who swore an oath to protect us must now protect us or resign from office. We will no longer tolerate his inability and/or refusal to protect defenceless citizens. Enough is enough.

“My thoughts and prayers are with all who lost loved ones in the Omoku attack, as we continue to pray for the repose of the souls of those who were murdered. I assure you that the federal government will begin to protect you.”