Rivers Political Tensions Rise Amid Alleged Cash‑for‑Promotion Claims in Police Ranks!
Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi (journalist) | Sele Media Africa
Unverified reports circulating online claim that close political allies of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, may be involved in a controversial scheme allegedly involving payments of up to ₦20 million per officer to secure special promotions within the Nigeria Police Force. These officers are said to have been strategically deployed across key units in Rivers State, a narrative gaining attention as political rivalries intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The reports, largely sourced from fringe news websites and social media posts, suggest that loyalists of Wike are purportedly financing accelerated promotions to position favoured officers in influential policing roles. If accurate, the claims would indicate a blending of partisan politics and security administration in a state already marked by a long-standing feud between Wike’s faction and loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
However, no major Nigerian or international media outlets including The Cable, Premium Times, Vanguard, Punch, Channels TV, or BBC have independently verified these allegations. Similarly, neither the Nigeria Police Force, the Police Service Commission (PSC), nor Minister Wike’s office has confirmed the alleged payments or the purported deployments.
Just days ago, the Police Service Commission (PSC) issued a categorical denial of claims that police promotions were monetised, stressing that promotions are conducted based on merit, seniority, and transparent procedures. The PSC described such allegations as “unfounded” and warned that misinformation could undermine public trust in law enforcement institutions.
Official channels of the Nigeria Police Force have consistently rejected claims of impropriety in promotion processes, highlighting that internal procedures comply with statutory and regulatory standards and that credible evidence of misconduct must be formally investigated.
Rivers State’s political landscape remains highly charged, with previous disputes between Wike and factions aligned with Governor Fubara leading to legislative upheavals, party factionalism, and public confrontations in recent years.
At present, the “cash‑for‑promotion” claims remain unverified allegations circulating on independent platforms. Established news organisations and official records have not corroborated them. Sele Media Africa will continue monitoring developments and will provide updates if authoritative confirmations or official responses emerge.
Sources
247Ureports
ARISE News
TVC News
Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.
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