Indications have emerged that tension has gripped politicians in Bayelsa and Rivers states following a fresh cold battle between the Presidency and the governors over the political control of both states ahead of the 2015 general elections.
A source, who did not want his name mentioned, told a few journalists in Abuja that except stringent measures were taken, the two states might be thrown into crisis following desperate plans to manipulate the electoral processes in the two states using security operatives.
DeltaNewsroom.com recalls that Rivers State governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, had a serious confrontation with the former Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Joseph Mbu, who was believed to be close to the Presidency during the altercation between the governor and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.
The source, however, said that the newly deployed Commissioners of Police in Rivers and Bayelsa states had been asked to “adopt an Mbu-like approach” in policing the two states ahead of the 2015 polls.
But the source exonerated President Goodluck Jonathan, saying “he is not even aware of the directive” which is being linked with the Office of the First Lady.
He said, “The President is out of the country but the two CPs were summoned to the Presidency and they were briefed on how to police the two states as preparations for the 2015 elections gather steam. For Rivers State, the plan is to install the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesome Wike, as governor.
“For Bayelsa State, the First Lady has endorsed the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic and Social Events, Dr. Waripomowei Dudafa, for governor of the state. If this move succeeds, Dudafa would have been successfully used to supplant the incumbent Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson, whose tenure ends in 2016.”
But the spokesperson for the First Lady, Mr. Ayo Adewuyi, described the allegation as ridiculous.
He said, “In the first instance, it sounds ridiculous and unthinkable for anyone to believe that the Office of the First Lady would do such a thing as giving instructions to a commissioner of police.
“It is therefore a pure mischief and another calculated attempt on the part of whoever is spreading the rumour to drag the First Lady into what she knew nothing about.”
