Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said that he does not need to apologise to anyone for commending President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the payment of funds owed to Niger Delta State since 1999.
Wike stated this during the 2022 Rivers State honours and awards ceremony, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Saturday.
Recall that Wike had on November 18, disclosed that the Buhari administration paid his state and other Niger Delta States funds owed them from the 13 percent derivation fund.
The Rivers State governor said the money received from the Federal Government has immensely helped his infrastructural development quests in the state.
The governor’s revelation elicited different reactions as Nigerians asked other State governors to account for the fund received.
The presidency had on Friday revealed that nine oil-producing states were given a total of N625.43 billion as 13 percent oil derivation, subsidy, and SURE-P refunds from the federation account between 2021 and 2022.
Among the states that benefitted from the derivation funds are Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
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Wike said he is currently battling “problem” because he appreciated Buhari for approving the refund to the nine oil-producing states.
He said, “Instead of human beings to say they appreciate you, they become envious that why were you appreciated. Because I said Buhari thank you, I’m having problem today,” he said.
“I’m not a fan of Buhari. I told the honourable attorney-general but when a man has done well say he has done well in that area. On the other area, he has not done well, you equally say so.
“I have no apology to anybody. Today, Wike did this and that projects. Look if Buhari did not release the money — from 1999, which my party did not even release — I won’t have done what I did.
“I don’t give a damn to anybody. I don’t care. I got the money. I’m not a fan of Buhari. He has not done well in so many areas but with this payment of money, he did well.
“My friends and party members may not be happy. Make una no vex oo. This one, Buhari did well. He gave me money and I used it to do something for people in Rivers state. The other ones will talk about their own later.”
Source: Cable