Stop Organizing COVID -19-Spreader Events In Rivers State, APC Tells Governor Wike

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Governor Nyesom Wike to stop organising  what it calls “super spreader” events that are endangering the lives of ordinary Rivers people.

The party acknowledged that it has received reports pointing to the fact that spiking cases of the virus registered in the State are traceable to the ongoing commissioning of projects by the State Governor and members of his team.

“Governor Wike is aware that COVID-19 protocols do not allow the assemblage of huge crowds in one place. We have noticed that in course of the ongoing crowd – oriented events instigated by the Governor, social distancing a critical requirement for avoiding the spread of the Coronavirus is not being observed.

“As a result of the nonchalant attitude of the administration towards the observance of set down COVID-19 guidelines, many  Rivers people including Commissioners, high ranking government and party officials  are being afflicted by the disease.

“We having received worrying intelligence which indicate that no less than 10 serving Commissioners in this administration have tested positive to the diseases. Many more are reputedly contacting the disease as a result of the deviant behaviour of the Rivers State Government and the occupants of Government House.

“We have also gathered that attempts are currently being made by the State Government to deliberately suppress the release of information pertaining to the infection of serving civil Commissioners by the virus as a result of the commissioning events that are taking place at this time.

“We challenge Governor Wike to deny this is not the case. We ask him to tell the people of the State the truth about what is happening to some of his commissioners who have reportedly embarked  on self isolation.

“Our concern is that unsuspecting  Rivers people are being led as sheep to the slaughter by a Government whose primary responsibility it is to protect them from harm’s way. We think that the action of the State Government which could result in the community spread of the virus  is despicable and totally unacceptable. Everything should not be tied to power and political gain.

“You will recall that the same Government organized a party Congress last year in the midst of a national campaign to halt the spread of the virus. The consequences of that action which took a toll on some members of the PDP cannot be easily forgotten.

“Americans are dying at a rate that is frightening due to this type of reaction by a Government that should be democratic and responsive. We do not want to imagine that we have someone in the mold of a President Donald J. Trump who would be responsible for avoidable deaths in Rivers State.

“While we acknowledge the attempt by Governor Nyesom Wike to showcase his achievements,  our position is that the lives of ordinary Rivers people matter. In case Government has forgotten, we wish to remind it that the lives of Rivers people are very precious and so must be protected by any means possible.

“Accordingly, we urge the State Government to halt the jamboree that has become associated with the commissioning of its projects at this time in the overall  interest of the health of Rivers people and all who reside within the boundaries of Rivers State.

“There is no justification whatsoever  for the Rivers State Government to insist that the people and their churches should obey Covid-19 protocols when the same Government is brazenly engaged in breaking the rules put in place for the purpose of guaranteeing public health.

“Besides, we are well aware that a government in this State, which  recorded widespread achievements during its tenure, did not for one day engage in the wasteful luxury of commissioning projects. Unfortunately, we are saddled with an administration which at the slightest opportunity engages in unnecessary showmanship. Yet, this same government has been unable to pay the entitlements of pensioners; and unable to maintain the State Secretariat complex.