Battle For Rivers ₦600bn: Wike Accuses Politicians Of Pushing Him Aside

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that politicians are scheming to access the ₦600 billion left in Rivers State’s treasury by the former Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Wike claimed that the growing visits by politicians to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, are driven by their interest in tapping into the huge sum reportedly left behind by Ibas.

He made the remarks while addressing members of the Rivers State House of Assembly at their legislative quarters along Aba Road in Port Harcourt.

According to the FCT minister, these politicians have adopted a familiar tactic—publicly showering praise on Governor Fubara, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while privately positioning themselves to benefit from the state’s finances.

Wike said, “From my experience in Nigerian politics, politicians are always attracted to Rivers’ money. Study it very well—Nigerian politicians like Rivers money.

“The moment you announced there was ₦600 billion, you made a mistake. That announcement sparked the interest of politicians from other states. I know them.”

He further alleged that some politicians have turned attacking him into a tool for gaining favour with the state government, insisting that speaking against him has become a pathway to accessing the funds.

“They will tell people here that Wike has done enough, that his time is over, and once they say that, they collect their share.

“So, if you want to benefit from that ₦600 billion and more, you must first declare that Wike’s time is finished,” he said.

Wike added that revealing the existence of such a large sum had effectively invited political opportunists, whom he described as fraudsters, into the state.

“Once you made that money public, you opened the door. Now everyone is hovering around, waiting for where to perch. That’s what happens when you announce this kind of money,” he stated.