Amaechi, Wike trade words over Govt House property

Wike and Amaechi

Rivers State Government, yesterday, berated officials of the previous  government in the state for allegedly removing property from Government House, Port Harcourt, while vacating office.

Deputy governor of the state, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, made the allegation while speaking with newsmen at Government House, after some leaders of the state were conducted round the premises of the State House.

Governor Nyesom Wike took the leaders to the residential  quarters,  offices and the Banquet  Hall where furniture, television sets and electrical  accessories were allegedly removed.

But former governor of the state, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has denied the allegation, saying that it was an attempt by Wike, to intimidate, threaten and blackmail officials of his (Amaechi’s) administration, including civil servants, into making false claims against him (Amaechi) and his wife, concocting claims that cannot be substantiated.

The  prominent  Rivers  State leaders on the tour with Governor Wike were the Deputy Governor, Dr Banigo, former Deputy  Governor,  Tele Ikuru, former Attorney-General of the state, Frank Owhor, acting National  Chairman of  the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  Uche Secondus, former  Minister  of  Sports,  Dr Danagogo,  former  Minister of Trade and  Investment,  Kenneth  Kobani and Rivers State PDP  Chairman,  Mr Felix Obuah.

“It is unimaginable that the beds, chairs and official crested rugs in the governor’s  official  quarters  were removed. Even the foam they left is Mouka foam, which they used to replace the original foam,” Obuah said.

Amaechi denies allegation

Amaechi, who debunked claims by Wike that Government House, Port Harcourt was vandalized, described Wike’s utterances as another cheap smear campaign and ploy to siphon billions of naira from the state treasury under the guise of renovating a ‘vandalized’ and ‘looted’ Government House.

In a statement by his spokesman, David Iyofor, Amaechi said that Wike had gone to ridiculous and absurd lengths to show his imaginary claims of vandalisation in Government House in his bid to vote billions of naira for renovation of the place.

He said, “I am aware that this (Monday) morning, (yesterday), Wike in company of his coterie of court jesters took some video cameramen and photographers on a tour of the Governor’s residence inside Government House. He took them to the Governor’s bedroom where he made further claims that the place have been vandalised.”

“The question to ask is, did Wike know what was in my former bedroom before now, to conclude that the bedroom was vandalised? Did he speak with or review with the Permanent Secretary of Government House, who is the chief accounting officer, before jumping to such hasty and misguided conclusion?"