Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to name governors accused of stealing Local Government allocations.
Buhari had on Thursday accused governors of “pocketing” allocations meant for LGs, and as such contributing to underdevelopment.
However, speaking on Friday while inauguration of the Mgbuosimini ring and internal roads in Rumueme Kingdom of Obio-Akpor LGA of the state, Wike said Buhari should not generalise.
Wike said, “I want to challenge Mr. President, you’re a leader and we believe as leaders, you must come out and tell Nigerians who are those committing this offence”.
“You said the governors are taking Local Government funds. I want to say, in the name of almighty God, I have never touched Local Government funds one day.
“I have never and I have no reason to do that. So, Mr. President, tell us who are those people?
“You know them; tell us. It is not good to say what we call class defamation, and you say ‘governors’. Please, I am not one of those governors.
“So, Mr President, please, spare me. Tell Nigerians that the Integrity Governors are not part of them.
“We have integrity. And do us a favour to announce all those states that are taking local government money.”
Wike urged Buhari not to “generalise”, insisting that his administration has never tampered with LG allocations.
“Announce those who are touching because you have the record. Let us not be generalising things. It’s not good for this country, and that’s why Nigeria is not growing,” the governor said.
“If somebody has done bad, say somebody has done bad. Don’t say ‘people are doing bad’. Who are those who are doing that bad? Mention their names.
“So, I stand here. Mr. President, I don’t know which of the channels you’re watching now. I, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, have never, and will not touch Local Government money.
“I dont even know what they get in a month and I don’t give a damn. And I have never called any local government to partner with state to do any project.
“Ordinarily, some of these projects we’re doing ought to be Local Government projects.”
