River State’s politics is known for its thug of war between two bigwigs Rotimi Amaechi and Governor Nyesom Wike. their rivalry got a new twist as the state government decided to probe into a reported N82million spent by Amachi to organize a dinner for Professor Wole Soyinka in the state.
According to the Rivers Commissioner of Information, Austin Tam-George, ย the state government would demand refund from Soyinka if government confirms that he received part of the funds in cash.
The commissioner said the point of departure between Amaechi, who is now Minister of Transportation and Governor Wike, was the insistence by the latter that the former must adhere to probity and accountability in all governmental actions.
Speaking during a radio programme on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Mr. Tam-George alleged that the former governor โamassed N1.1billion debt on frivolous expenditureโ through the Ministry of Information and Communications.
โI will seek the permission of the governor to formally write Professor Wole Soyinka, a known supporter of Amaechi if he received part of the N82million spent on a 3-hour dinner hosted for him by the Amaechi administration.
โIf he agrees that he received such funds, then he will be compelled to refund same to the coffers of Rivers State.
โAt present, we have presented these details to the police for investigation and prosecution.
โWe shall also take up this matter as a financial crime against the people of Rivers Stateโ, he said.
The commissioner stressed that all fraudulent actions allegedly committed by Mr. Amaechi would not go unchallenged by Wikeโs administration.
Mr. Tam-George further alleged that former Governor Amaechi betrayed the trust of Rivers people by embarking on โirresponsible expensesโ, which he said led to the misuse of N3trillion that accrued to the state during his tenure.
He also alleged that the former governor left several months unpaid salaries, pensions, abandoned projects and unpaid scholarships despite receiving N3trillion as revenue.
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