The immediate past Governor of Rivers State and Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, has questioned the mental status of his successor, Governor Nyesom Wike, after claiming that the $43 million found at a residence in Ikoyi, Lagos State, belongs to the Rivers State Government.
Amaechi raised this alarm through his former Commissioner of Works, Peterside Dakuku, at the Port Harcourt International Airport, while chatting with Newsmen.
He debunked the allegation made by Wike, that the money found in Lagos was part of the proceeds the Rivers State Government realised from the sale of gas turbines, by the Amaechi administration.
He said: “Not too long ago, Wike apparently suffering from overdose of self-delusion, said he had awarded road projects in faraway Benue State, and had mobilised Contractors to site.
“The same Wike has also accused the Inspector General of Police, IGP, of plotting to assassinate him through the new CP in Rivers State.
“We thought these were jokes taken too far. But the clownish Governor has surprised himself with another tales by moonlight, in trying to link his former boss and benefactor, to the unclaimed money.
“I think we need to check the sanity and mental status of Governor Wike. Time and time again, he is bringing ridicule to the office he occupies, and embarrassing the people of Rivers State who are known to be intelligent, responsible, and decent in upbringing,” he stressed.
He explained that Amaechi had since denied owning the said house in Lagos, and challenged the Rivers State Government to provide evidence to the contrary.
Peterside, noted that the money realised from sale of gas turbines, were paid into the account of Rivers State, and the money used for projects.
“While Wike can never come near the record of Amaechi, the current Governor is doing everything to reverse the unmatchable records of his predecessor.
“As at today, no one has seen copies of the 2016 and 2017 budgets of Rivers State. Schools and health centres are shutting down, with thousands of school age children out of school. Rivers children on scholarship abroad have been withdrawn. The same Governor has wasted Rivers money to host two failed Conventions of a sinking PDP. His party Chairman has accused him of using $6m to influence Judicial Officers.
“Wike has the unenviable record of governing a State, having the most state-linked killings in Rivers history. He rose to become the Governor of Rivers State, on the bloods of innocent people.
“It is people like Wike who have made Nigerians to call to question the issue of immunity in the Constitution. He is taking immunity as a shield to abuse the dignity of the office of Governor.
“The Governor can still retrace his steps and follow the path of dignity, decorum, and respect the office he occupies, for he holds it in trust on behalf of Rivers people.’’