Rivers State Governor,Nyesom Wike has threatened to expose those in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who are working to undermine the developmental achievements recorded by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and his Benue State counterpart. Samuel Orthom.
Governor Wike gave the hint during the official unveiling of the Ishmeal Ikpeazụ Memorial Library and Center for Scientific Leadership Umuobiakwa in Obingwa LGA, built by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in memory of the late patriarch of the Ikpeazu dynasty as part of activities marking the 58th Birthday Anniversary of Governor Ikpeazu.
This is coming amid crises rocking the PDP and the agitation by some party members including Governor Ikpeazu, Governor Orthom and other G5 governors who are insisting that the Southern Part of Nigeria should be included at the helm of affairs to give the zone a sense of belonging.
A move which members of the top echelon of the party view as an affront hence working secretly to undermine the achievements of their perceived enemies.
However, Governor Wike narrated how funds meant for the development of Abia and Benue states were stopped by “those who claim they rule the country”, saying the move was in retaliation for the support garnered from both state Governors.
He said: “Nigerians will hear why some people think some of us are not Nigerians, why some other people think some of us are slaves. We would never be slaves to anybody.
“Soon i will tell Nigerians how the money that was supposed to come to Abia State for my friend(Governor Ikpeazu) to use and develop Abia State was stopped recently by those who think they own this country, by those who think Ikpeazu did not support them.
“Because Ikpeazu supported me, they went and stopped Abia State from getting the money they were supposed to get to develop Ariaria market.
“Nigerians will cry the day i will make this expose, how Abia and Benue State were denied of their money that every state have gotten from the central bank which i got.
“People are not elected into office yet and they are fighting people, stopping State money. Even as we have criticised Buhari he has never stopped our money any day, never.
“Okezie Ikpeazu is just governor of Abia State, he is not the owner of Abia State but a symbol of Abia State. Anybody that fights Abia state to get their resources, you’re not fighting Okezie, you are fighting the people of Abia.
According to the Rivers State Governor, the agitation for the inclusion of a southerner where decisions are being made in the party is not for his selfish aggrandizement but for the best interest of everyone.
“I have continued to say that our region is not demanding anything rather what we are asking from the party is now you have taken this, take the other one back to the other people so they can have a sense of belonging.
While noting that part of the problems in Nigeria was lack of documentation, Governor Wike said that the Scientific Library would serve generation unborn especially in the areas of research and addressing the myriads of challenges facing the society.
Speaking earlier, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said the Ishmael Ikpeazu Memorial Library was built through the support of his friends and well wishers to effect the ideals of the Ikpeazu dynasty and informed that an initial 50 candidates would benefit from the program which would focus on a new leadership paradigm.
