Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that he is yet to receive the N78.9 billion refund approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr Wike, who has been largely critical of the Federal Government, stated this on Wednesday during an interview with Gbenga Aruleba on AIT.
He said the appreciation letter to the president was sent weeks ago but was brought to the fore on Monday by his administration.
“The refund has been approved although the money hasn’t yet been paid. The appreciation letter was sent over three weeks ago but we just decided to advertise it,” he said.
The refund is the cost of execution of Federal Government’s road projects in Rivers.
“It included projects done from the time of Dr Odili till my tenure. If you do good for us we appreciate you but if you don’t we would speak up,” Wike said.
“31 other states were refunded their money spent on Federal roads since 2018. I questioned the process as Rivers State had done all its documentation. The FEC approved the funds and the Rivers Executive Council sat and agreed to appreciate Mr President.”
Wike said he does not believe in handpicking a successor, adding “that’s what is causing problems in most states”.
He also said all governors in the South-South regions would be in Edo State to support Governor Godwin Obaseki in his second term bid.
