The Nigerian President-elect, Bola Ahmad Tinubu, had reportedly said that unless the Governor of Rivers state Nyesom Wike, lobbies him, he will not collect a refund of the federal road projects undertaken by the state.
Tinubu, said this on Wednesday when he Commissioned the Rumuokwuta-Rumuola Flyover in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State, south south Nigeria.
He said Wike had been a ‘Very Dependable’ Governor who had been championing Justice but concerning the 12th flyover and the demand he made for a refund, he said “I owe you nothing,” It is your road.”
The august visitor who had turned down Governor Wike’s demand for a refund after embarking on the construction of some federal roads which ought to be done by the Federal Government in the state said, “I commend your effort. You have to lobby me to collect (it).”
As to the question of who really owns the road, Tinubu, said, “You are the one living on this road, you can’t put me in a chokehold and make a demand.”
“As you make people happy, create excitement and development across this state, the president- elect said, “we have something to look forward to-Nigeria. You and I must discuss that, not expected indebtedness.”
But a skilled Barrister that he is, Wike, in a response said, “unfortunately too, these projects ought to be Federal Government projects because they are federal roads, “If we had said that because they are Federal Government roads, we won’t do it, but who are those to suffer?
“I am not asking what we are not entitled to. The Federal Government should say you are a true son of this government; you have removed shame from us.” Governor Wike continue to defend his position that, “the projects undertaken by the state ought to be done by the Federal Government.”
While Wike, kept trying to put a different spin on the facts that a good Federal Government suppose to be for a partnership with the state, he said “since we have said we don’t want our people to suffer, I also believe that the Federal Government should say, ‘Look, you have done well for us.
“These are projects we should be doing. Can you bring your bill? Let us refund you the money ‘(with which) you have done these roads.
“I can assure you, as you enter the office and you approve to pay this money back, other states will have the courage to also do the same thing,” he continued.
Recall that Truth Live News had earlier reported that the Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike, had in a state broadcast on Tuesday invited and declared Wednesday as a holiday, to welcome the President-Elect for projects commissioning.