Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has threatened to relinquish his position if his predecessor and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi names a federal project he has attracted to the state since 2015.
Wike in a statement signed on Saturday, May 22, 2021, by his Special Adviser, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, also accused Amaechi of embezzling proceeds from the sales of the state aircraft and power stations when he was a governor.
The governor spoke while receiving two former chairmen of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers, Dr. Davies Ikanya and Igo Aguma as well as other chieftains of the party to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
The governor explained that Amaechi claimed he sold a Dash 8 aircraft purchased by former Governor, Dr. Peter Odili administration to Government of Cross River at the cost of $6million, but failed to account for the proceeds of the transaction.
The governor said the state government was able to trace the Dash 8 aircraft belonging to the state government to where Amaechi allegedly clandestinely diverted it in 2012.
Wike alleged that Amaechi’s reign in office as governor was characterised by financial malfeasance.
He further alleged that the $308million paid by Sahara Energy to acquire the state independent power projects was diverted by the Minister.
The governor, who cited many projects he attracted to Rivers State while he was Minister of State for Education under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, challenged Amaechi to emulate him by reviving the moribund Port Harcourt seaports to create employment opportunities for Rivers’ youths.
In his remarks, the State PDP chairman, Amb. Desmond Akawor said the defection of Dr. Ikanya, Aguma, and others marked the formal interment of the opposition party in Rivers.
Narrating his reason for leaving the APC, Ikanya explained that he could not with good conscience remain in a political party that was built on deception.
According to him, all the expectations that the APC will provide security, create employment opportunities, and better lives of Nigerians had turned out to be a mere mirage.
Ikanya said it was regrettable that the party had been hijacked by persons, who placed their personal interest far above the party.
He used the occasion to apologise to the governor and people of Rivers for introducing the APC to the state.
On his part Aguma accused Amaechi of brainwashing him and others to join the APC.
He called on the Attorney-General of the Federation to immediately investigate finance of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, between 2016 and 2019.
Aguma also called for the prosecution of the Minister for allegedly mismanaging over $317million spent on 1.5 kilometer abandoned monorail.
APC chieftains, who defected to PDP were Chief Ogbogbo Nnamdi, Isobo Jack, former caretaker chairman; Paul Nwankwoala, former APC legal adviser; Faaye Franklin, Chief Andy Nweye and Alamese Martins-Yellow.
Others were Ilamabo Mirila, Dr. More Oja-Chinda, Benibo Anabraraba, Alphine Whyte and Wisdom Wakama.
Source: The Nation
