The All Progressives Congress, APC, says Governor Nyesom Wike has apparently admitted that he may have used his exalted position in government to acquire property.
The APC said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday by Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, its Spokesman, that the remark credited to the State Government amounted to an indictment of itself.
“In acknowledging publicly that it is better to acquire properties in Rivers State instead of a West African country, the Wike Government has inadvertently agreed that the allegation made by the Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi carries some weight “, the APC said.
“Amaechi may have spoken out in public about the personal acquisitions that the Governor of Rivers State is allegedly making with State funds.
Part of the APC statement read, “But it is common knowledge among Rivers people and others who are resident in the State that the rumour of Wike’s alleged misuse of public funds have been making the rounds for a long time.
“After examining the response of the State Government to the allegation, we are sadly led to draw conclusions that the allegation made by the Minister against the Governor might somehow be correct.
“The Governor apparently attempted to dodge the question in our view. In doing so, the Governor gave the impression in the court of public opinion that he was in some way attempting to plead justification in a rather carefree and repulsive manner.
“What position, we ask, was Wike trying to sell to the Rivers people when he reacted? What were the issues involved in Amaechi’s allegation that Wike or the Government did not deal with? What should be viewed for example, as acceptable conduct or behaviour on the part of our leaders in government?
“It is certain that leaders of the Rivers State Government are reacting to Amaechi’s allegation the same way they approached a controversy over drinking weeks ago.
“In trying to get at Amaechi who is a stunch Catholic, Governor Nyesom Wike unwittingly attacked a widely respected Christian practice, the practice of taking Holy Communion.
“Amaechi had said on one occasion that he was not in the habit of drinking alcohol. Recall that in uttering those words, the Minister made no reference to anyone in particular.
“It is however on record that Governor Wike took the Amaechi comment personally, and overstepped his bound in the eyes of most Christians.
“Wike stood in front of the whole world and claimed that Christians under the guise of taking the Holy Communion consume alcohol.
“While Wike is yet to apologise to the Christian community for bringing the age-long doctrine of taking the Holy Communion to ridicule, we however wish to state that the Body of Christ has never in any way frowned at the way the practice is observed by Christians.
“Rivers people do not need any further proof after the allegation made by Amaechi. The authorities appear to have created the impression, through the defence put up in public, that public funds belonging to them could be put to use any how.
“If people were to subject the response credited to the Governor to some level of analysis, some kind of test, they would possibly come upon the same conclusion that we have sadly drawn.
“While the allusion to investments in Ghana are like the usual wild allegations made by Governor Wike and members of this administration, allegations which basically turn out to be unfounded, irrational and untrue, we challenge the Government of Rivers State to provide adequate proof of foreign investments, involving Rivers funds, that may have been made in Ghana by any, or all of the Governors who have served this State.
“In the meantime, the APC believes that the response credited to the Governor which apparently justifies looting suggests that the Minister was on target when he made that allegation.”