Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has challenged his Niger Delta counterparts to account for the enormous sums of money they have received as a backlog for the 13% oil derivation since 1999, which President Muhammadu Buhari approved and paid.
When speaking at a banquet the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hosted in Rivers State for the PDP G5 governors who are in Port Harcourt for the party’s state-level campaign flag-off on Saturday, Wike issued a challenge to the nine governors.
The governor explained to those in attendance at the banquet that while he can provide evidence for the projects his administration has carried out using funds from Rivers, some of his colleagues are unable to do so.
He said, “I am not an Apostle of Buhari; he is not my friend but I have no regret to appreciate him for paying the money meant for the Niger Delta states. He has paid. Let everybody come and account for it.”
Wike had praised Buhari for approving all the money due to the Niger Delta governments since 1999 during the commissioning of the Nabo Graham-Douglas CPUs at the Nigerian Law School in Port Harcourt.
Wike criticized an anonymous politician who, in his opinion, only cares about taking several wives and trying to charge the Federal Government over $400 million in consulting fees.
As suggested by the unknown man, he added that while he is looking forward to the day the party would fire him, he should demand his governor to account for the returns he received from the federal government.
“They say they will sack. I have been looking for the day they will sack me. Let dem sack me, I pepper you. You will know that khaki no be leather.”
He argued that because they are bound together to save Nigeria, the G5 governors cannot be broken.
Wike remained committed to not supporting Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s presidential candidate, in Rivers.
He stated that the campaign for the National Assembly, State Assembly, and governorship seats in Rivers will be launched in Port Harcourt today.
According to him, Taofeek Arapaja, the PDP’s deputy national chairman for the south, will execute the symbolic presentation of party flags to the candidates.
Wike stated he has no regrets about his commitment to provide logistical support to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate.
He claimed that Obi merited respect and governmental protection as the former governor of Anambra State. He reiterated his commitment to providing security and vehicles for Obi’s campaign in Rivers State.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State reaffirmed the G5 governors’ resolve to fight for justice, the rule of law, and equity in his brief address of support.
He claimed that the PDP’s actions are being taken to protect every member of the party. Reiterating Wike’s remarks, he said that while they are not against reconciliation, it must be founded on equity, fairness, and justice.
Ortom also praised Wike for bringing the nation together through project commissioning.
The PDP will prevail in Rivers State as it has done since 1999, according to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, because the party is ingrained in the state’s citizens.
Similar to how Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the governor of Enugu State, expressed his conviction and satisfaction that the PDP will win the 2023 elections since it has consistently done so in Rivers.
As he was in Abuja to accept an award, the governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, joined his colleagues toward the end of the banquet.