Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike was reminded on Wednesday by president – elect, Bola Tinubu, that he is not indebted to him in any way
The President-elect, who was on a two days visit to Rivers State, on the invitation of Governor Wike also told him that he must lobby him to receive any favour from his government, which is scheduled to be inaugurated on May 29
This as the former Lagos State governor declared that he’s Nigeria’s president-elect because he won the presidential election fair and square.
Tinubu made the declaration on Wednesday, during the commissioning of Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Flyover Bridge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on the invitation of Governor, Nyesom Wike
Tinubu was declared winner of the contentious February 25 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The declaration of the APC presidential candidate is however been challenged by five political parties and their presidential candidates, who rejected the outcome of the election, alleging massive rigging and inability of the election umpire to fulfil some provisions of the Electoral Act, including allegations that Tinubu did not meet the constitutional requirements to be declare president – elect
It was reported that Governor Wike who, fell out with his opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, after losing at the party’s presidential primary, mobilized a group of PDP governors, known as the G-5 Governors, and rallied support for Tinubu during the presidential election, where he delivered his state for the APC
Tinubu lauded Wike for his stance saying he’s a principled politician and “a dependable” partner who has built a bridge that’s worthy of emulation.
He declared that, “I am here to fulfil a promise, a promise made is a promise kept,” pointing out that he and the host governor shared so many things in common politically.
He said, “We have so many things in common. That’s the politics of our country. Today is not for campaign, the campaign is over let’s govern and it’s about governance.
He described Wike as a very dependable ally, adding, “It’s an honour to be in your midst. I am a happy man. Happy because I went through a tough campaign, supported by many of you and I won fair and square.”
The former Lagos State governor added that he couls not have emerged victorious at the poll without some structural support from Wike and others.
“He took a principled stand that the presidency must return to the South and had the courage to stand by his conviction not minding whose ox is gored.
“He didn’t choose to serve his interest rather the interest of the nation. You promoted unity, you promoted fairness, you championed justice,” he said of Wike.
Speaking earlier, Wike said, “It’s on record you won the Rivers state, we won the national assembly. That’s why we said you take one, we take one.”
He boasted that the contractors are not being owed a dime even though most of the flyovers and roads are federal government projects.
He calls for synergy between the central government and the states to enhance development, urging Tinubu to approve refunds to states which execute such projects to serve as encouragement to others.
Wike had told Tinubu: “Part of why we are having uncompleted projects have to do with our procurement laws. If you follow the procurement law, it will take very long to complete projects.
“When you give a contractor 15%, inflation is rising almost every day; before you give another money, they will call for variation because of increasing cost of materials.
“In our own case, I call Mr Speaker, to say we can’t continue with this. We had to amend our own procurement law to give us the latitude to pay 70% to a company we know has the capacity to deliver within time.
“That is why today, no project being handled by Julius Berger (JB) is uncompleted. Recently we are dualizing Ahoada to Omoku to Egbema, with our boundary with Imo state.
Wike also stated that his administration is currently also dualizing Emohua, East West, to Degema Junction road, also by Julius Berger.
“How much did they charge us? About N80 billion. We fall back on our Internally Generated Revenue, to say every month, take N4 billion, finish this road in 18 months. That is why we have never failed in completing our projects.
“Unfortunately, these projects are Federal Government’s roads. We don’t want our people to suffer. I believe the Federal Government should say ‘let us refund these monies’.
“I assure you, as you enter office and approve to pay these monies back, other states will also do same thing. So that (refund) is the first request we are making to you.”
Responding, to Governor Wike’s request, the President-elect said “On the demand you made for refund, I owe you nothing. It’s your road. You’re the one living on these roads. I commend your efforts. You have to lobby me to collect.”
Speaking further, Tinubu said: “My visit to Rivers is a promise kept, promise fulfilled. If you talk of character, Governor Nyesom Wike you are very dependable.
“In Wike, I see a man of principle. He took a stand that the presidency must return to South. And he had the courage to stand by his conviction, not minding whose ox is gored.
“He is indeed a man of great integrity. You promoted unity, promoted fairness, you championed justice.
“It is on the strength of your character that I stand to fulfil the promise I made during the campaigns. I’m happy we have been able to establish a relationship.”