Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
In 15 months, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has donated N2.1 billion to four states and individuals outside the state.
The Governor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made the donation between January 2021 and October 2022.
Governor Wike donated N500 million to Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal on January 20, 2021, to assist him in rebuilding the Sokoto Central Market, which was destroyed by fire.
In a related matter, the Rivers State Governor donated N30 million to Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu for the victims of the state’s inferno.
Wike stated in his statement that, in addition to funds donated to victims of the disaster, his administration will ensure that the affected market is rebuilt and functional.
Governor Wike pledged N600 million when he broke ground on the Akwa Ibom Teaching Hospital in Awa, Onna Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, in May 2021.
On February 14, 2022, the Rivers State Governor donated N500 million to the Bayelsa State Medical Science University in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Wike donated N200 million to displaced victims of banditry in Kaduna three months after the N500 million donation as part of his consultation to run for the PDP presidential ticket in 2023.
The Rivers State Governor pledged N300 million on Tuesday to support the projects of Lagos State officials’ wives at a conference organized by women in Lagos.
In a chat with Punch, the APC’s reaction to Wike’s action was that the donations were a waste of resources and a sign of the state government’s lack of vision at a time when the state was facing challenges.
Darlington Nwauju, the APC’s state spokesman, stated, “For us, as a party, we believe it is a total waste of taxpayers’ money.” It also demonstrates a clear lack of vision on the part of the government. The governor chose to make these frivolous donations at the expense of the state’s people. We are still dealing with outstanding pension arrears and teachers from demonstration secondary schools who have not been paid in five years.
“I also received word this afternoon (Friday) that Rivers State University has issued a notice informing returning students that they must pay their school fees or else they will be unable to take their exams.” The donations received would have covered a large portion of these students’ tuition fees. Currently, Rivers State students in higher education are not receiving the bursary that his predecessors provided.”
In response to the APC’s statement, Governor Wike’s media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, described it as a preposterous and baseless allegation by the remnants of a dying political party.
“The needs of Rivers people are being met by the administration of Governor Wike, who was today conferred the ‘Distinguished Award in Infrastructure Delivery’ by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for his excellence in public service,” Ebiri said.
