Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is very bitter with the Federal Government and has told residents of the State and Nigerians to hold President Muhammadu Buhari-led Government responsible if the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic escalates.

He said; “It has become imperative to alert the state and, indeed, the entire world to the fact that a dangerous escalation of COVID-19 pandemic in Rivers State looms large on our horizon due largely to the hypocrisy of the Federal Government and the continuous acts of willful sabotage by security agencies.”

“For this reason, they cannot overstate the gravity of the present predicament. Nobody should be surprised should Rivers State witness exponential increases in the infection and spread of COVID-19 cases in the days and weeks ahead as we begin intense testing.”

“However, my administration is resolved and committed to remain strong and total. Residents of the State should see coronavirus as a matter of life and death by obeying the government’s directives to stay at home in order to protect themselves, their families and the state from the spread.”

“Staying at home and staying safe for now is not just mandatory, but the best available option in the prevailing circumstance.”

“Borders of Rivers State are continually experiencing serial acts of sabotage by security operatives, who allow and, in some cases, personally aid persons with risky COVID-19 status into the state.”

“Recently, we intercepted a lorry-load of livestock with 22 persons who bribed their ways into Rivers State from as far as Adamawa State despite the Federal Government’s claimed restriction on inter-state travels and our definitive closure of all entry routes into the state.”

“Another 8 trucks with 200 persons hidden in loads of grains were intercepted as they were being smuggled into the State from the Northern parts of the country.”

“The extent of sabotage is such that even a Deputy Commissioner of Police unilaterally appropriated and exercised powers to illegally issue movement pass to individuals and companies indiscriminately in utter contempt and direct violation of the lockdown orders of the State government.”