The rift between Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Commissioner of Police Mbu Joseph Mbu has intensified, with Amaechi accusing Mbu of providing an unconvincing explanation for the sudden redeployment of his Escort Commander.
Amaechi, speaking through his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, described Mbu’s excuse as an afterthought. Mbu, however, maintained that the redeployment was ordered by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, and denied any wrongdoing.
The controversy surrounding the Escort Commander’s redeployment is the latest in a series of disagreements between Amaechi and Mbu. The governor has accused Mbu of taking sides in the state’s political crisis and called for his redeployment since February.
Amaechi alleged that Mbu redeployed the Escort Commander because he refused to provide prior information on the governor’s movement. The governor also claimed that Mbu requested the Camp Commandant of Government House to provide daily briefings on his movement, which Mbu denied.
The Rivers State Government has expressed reluctance to accept Mbu’s explanation, citing concerns over the governor’s personal security. The government argued that matters of personal security are typically discussed and agreed upon with the officials involved.
In a related development, the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the Rivers State Governor, Debeware Semeikumo, was declared a deserter by Mbu over the July 9 fracas in the state’s House of Assembly. Semenitari described the CP’s action as another mischief, stating that Semeikumo was away receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the incident.
