By Scroll Reporter Lagos Nigeria
In a move to ensure that the Federal Government returns the $43million dollars found in a luxury apartment in Ikoyi to the Rivers State Government, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Easter Sunday took the matter to God, asking Rivers Christians to aggressively intercede in prayers.
Speaking during Easter Church Service at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church in Rumuepirikom, Governor Wike said that the church has a responsibility to pray that God touches the Federal Government of Nigeria to return the money to the coffers of Rivers State, because the money belongs to Rivers State Government.
He said: “We need the prayer of the Church, because there is nothing that prayer cannot do. Pray that God should touch the Government of Nigeria, so that they will return the money to us. What we are interested is for the money to come back to us.”
Governor Wike stated that contrary to the false propaganda being peddled by the embattled Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, he has not declared war on the Federal Government, but the Rivers State Government was simply requesting the return of funds belonging to the state.
He said: “I cannot declare war on the Federal Government. Anybody bringing Buhari’s name , should leave Buhari and face his own problems . The issue is who kept the money at the Ikoyi Residence. The money was kept there by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.”
The governor emphasised that: “No amount of blackmail, no amount of distraction will stop us from getting our money. ”
He said that between 70 and 80 percent of the APC Campaigns in 2015 were sponsored using funds sourced by the Rivers State Government under the leadership of Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation.
Speaking further, Rivers State Governor said that the idea of the selective war of corruption will not help development in the country.
He wondered why security intelligence works on opponents of the Federal Government, but when glaring corruption issues pop up like the Ikoyi case, where Billions of Dollars belonging to Rivers State have been found, the war on corruption is suspended and diversionary tactics adopted.
Vicar of Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom, Venerable Israel Omosioni prayed God to grant the request of Rivers people for the Ikoyi Billions to be returned.
He said with the execution of projects across the state by Governor Wike, additional funds will assist Governor Wike achieve more for the people of the state.
The church resolved to start the prayers, which would be sustained till the funds are returned.
