Rivers: Buhari, Wike Settle Scores, President May Visit State

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state is not the fan of President Muhammadu Buhari, having been a consistent critic of his administration and party, the All Progressives Congress, APC since they both came to power in 2015.

But with the president’s decision to refund N78.9 billion owed by the federal government to the state, Nigerians cannot totally rule out re-alignment in high places.

Governor Wike has even invited the president to the state as a measure of goodwill to the new found friendship.

While appreciating Buhari for approving the refund to the state as cost of execution of Federal Government’s road projects in the state, Wike said Buhari has proved critics wrong that he’s tribalised leader.

“Mr. President has by this remarkable and heartwarming gesture shown not only your love for the government and people of Rivers State, but also demonstrated expressively that you are, indeed, a President for every State of the Federation and all Nigerians,” Wike said in a letter of appreciation to the president.

The governor also stated in the letter to the president, the love and continued support of people of the state for his administration.

Governor Wike said “I assure you that the Rivers State Government is willing and ever ready to cooperate and partner the Federal Government to advance the developmental aspirations of Rivers State in particular, and our nation in general.

The governor has extended an invitation to President Buhari, to come and see what his administration has done with funds that have accrued to the state.

To this extent, “I wish to, therefore, appeal to Mr. President to kindly oblige us with a state visit when invited, to see what we have accomplished for the state and our people with the money,” Wike said.

Meanwhile, the River’s state governor has disclosed that his party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP is determined to wrestle power from the APC.

He said this can only happen if the ruling party continues on the track of costly mistakes, referring to the leadership crisis that recently rocked the party which led to the ouster of its National Working Committee, NWC led by Adams Oshiomhole from office.