Amaechi Accusses Wike Of Embezzling State Funds Money

 
The Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused former Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, of embezzling money from the state funds, Premium Times reports.
According to Amaechi, over N3.5 billion was paid to the former minister to fulfill his obligations in the state. Unfortunately, after receiving the money, the minister did not execute the contracts, a set of classroom blocks and a road in Rivers State.
“My administration gave Nyesom Wike, the contract worth N2 billion to construct Eneka road and he disappeared with the funds. I even awarded 14 classroom blocks to Nyesom Wike at the cost of N112 million each. But, as you can see, he has not built even a building.”
READ ALSO: Rivers PDP Comes For Amaechi
Speaking on Sunday during a courtesy call on the traditional ruler of Akpor Kingdom, Orlu Oriebe, the governor said that Wike “disappeared with the money without constructing the road.”
Not long ago Amaechi and Wike were political allies while the latter was serving as a Chief of Staff to the governor. During Amaechi’s political battle with the presidency, Wike was appointed minister. He pledged loyalty to the president and it led to a battle for control of Rivers politics.
Later on, Amaechi joined the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), while Wike has been recently elected the River State governorship candidate to run on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) for next year’s election.
READ ALSO: APC Names Amaechi Presidential Campaign Director
Responding to the accusations, Wike’s aide, Sam Nwakaudu, said that Amaechi was telling lies to prevent the former minister from winning the governorship election.
“For every time he has made these accusations has failed to provide proof. He should provide evidence of the contract and hand them over to anti-corruption agencies. This particular issue has been used over and over again.
“What kind of contract do you pay the contractor N1.5 billion upfront? These are purely false allegations concocted by Mr Amaechi to divert attention from his failure as governor,” he added.
Wike’s aide assured that Amaechi spent N19 billion of Rivers funds on the campaign organisation of the APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.
Nwakaudu added that he already had some proves of the allegations. Therefore the necessary documents were sent to anti-corruption agencies for further investigations.
READ ALSO: Nyesom Wike Wins Rivers PDP Governorship Primaries
At the traditional ruler’s palace, Amaechi called on the people of Obio/Akpo Local Government Area to vote for the APC in 2015.
“He (Mr Wike) worships money, while I worship God. President Goodluck Jonathan does not like us, that is why we must vote out PDP and Jonathan back to Otuoke. I have developed Ikwerre people, even Nyesom Wike. I will not stop calling them thieves.”
The governor announced that he had paid all salaries of civil servants in the state. He also promised to pay December salaries between the 23rd and 24th to enable people prepare for forthcoming holidays.
Amaechi also used the occasion to lay stones at the foundation of the Akpor Traditional Centre at Ozuoba.
It should be added that Amaechi repetedly blames Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for making corruption “legal” in Nigeria. The politician has also doubts that the Federal Government under PDP can guarantee free, fair and transparent elections in 2015.
Earlier this year Amaechi  made a shocking revelation. According to the governor, his friendship with Nigeria’s first lady  got soled when he refused to share the state money with her.
 

Source: naij.com, and reposted by Abdulgafar (www.econsforumnews.blogspot.com)