Wike: Just like insurgency fund, $1bn should also be voted for Ogoni clean-up

Nyesom Wike, Rivers state governor, says the $1 billion approved by governors reportedly for the fight against insurgency is illegal.

He said this on Friday while speaking with state house correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja.

Wike said while the fight against insurgency remains vital, such an approval is against the law.

He said the same amount should also be approved for the Ogoni clean-up and other issues in the Niger Delta.

“For me it (the fund) is illegal,” he said.

“However, we are talking about fighting insurgence and no right thinking individual will say that he will not support the government to fight insurgency.

“But on the other hand, I believe that we have been talking about the environmental issues in the Niger Delta particularly in Ogoni land, I believe that we can also take the same money from the excess crude account to fund the problem in Ogoni land and other Niger Delta areas. That is my position.”

The governor said contrary to insinuations, his relationship with Buhari “cordial”.

He said he had come to update the president on Rivers state security.

“I’m happy with the discussion and I believe that something has to be done about (security) it. Nothing political, just security issue that affects the state and things that may lead to the breakdown of law and order,” the governor said.

“We talked on security challenges and he received me very well. We don’t have any bad relationship, I come here when he asked me to come.”

Although Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state, had announced that the $1 billion was to be used for the fight against insurgency, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo later said it is for security purposes in all states and not just in the north-east.