The River state Governor, Nyesom Wike has replied critics over the payment of 13% oil derivation fund to the Niger Delta States by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Wike stated that despite all the agitation by the people and other Niger Delta governors over the payment of the backlog of oil funds, he doesn’t regret appreciating the president for releasing the fund to them.
It could be recall that two week ago the Governor appreciated the President for approving payment of a backlog of allocations to Niger Delta states since 1999.
Although Wike stated that, he is not a fan of President Buhari, but he owes no one an apology for thanking him for releasing the money that was held back since 1999.
The governor was reported to have made his stand on Sunday at the conferment of awards on 162 Nigerians for their achievements, influential lives and services to the progress of Rivers State and the nation.
Wike in a statement signed by his Personal Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said he has been facing problems ever since he said thank you to the president for paying the money despite not being a fan of Buhari.
“Because I said ‘Buhari, thank you,’ I am having problems today. That is the country we are in. I am not a fan of Buhari.
“When a man has done well, say he has done well in this area. If he has not done well, you say so. I have no apologies for anyone. If Buhari had not released the money from 1999, which my party did not even release, I wouldn’t have been doing what I am doing.”
He commended the president for not playing politics with the payment of 13% derivation arrears to Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Akwa Ibom states.
