President-elect Bola Tinubu and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, yesterday, washed their dirty linens in public over the repayment of the cost of some federal road projects undertaken by the Rivers State government.
The Governor hosted the President-elect in his state on Wednesday for the commissioning of the Rumuokwuta–Rumuola flyover in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
In his speech during the event, Wike reeled off some projects embarked upon by his administration which ought to be the federal government’s responsibility.
He noted that his administration embarked on the projects so that the people of Rivers State would not “suffer” and requested a reimbursement of the funds spent on the projects by the incoming government.
According to him, “If we had said because they are federal government roads, and we won’t do it. Who are those to suffer? Is it not we? Is it not Rivers people.
“So, since we have said we don’t want our people to suffer, I also believe that the federal government should say, ‘Look, you’ve done well for us. These are projects we should be doing. Can you bring your bill, let us refund you the money'”.
Responding to Wike, Tinubu disagreed with the Governor that the federal government needs to refund the funds.
He, however, told Wike that he could reconsider his stance on the request if the governor lobbies him.
“On the 12th flyover and the demand you made for a refund, I owe you nothing. It’s your road,” the President-elect said to the amusement of the crowd.
He added, “You can’t chuckle at me and make a demand. You are the one living on this road. I commend your effort. You have to lobby me to ‘collect'”.
