THE Rivers State Governor-elect, Chief Nyesom
Wike, has indicated his readiness to probe the
Rotimi Amaechi administration after being sworn
in as the chief executive of the state.
Wike, who gave this hint while receiving the
interim report of the Transition Committee in
Port Harcourt on Monday, declared that his
administration would carry out a forensic audit
of all government accounts.
He explained that the measure would enable him
to recover funds that might have allegedly been
stolen by top officials of the outgoing
administration in the state.
Wike specifically said that those who
participated in the use of N4.5bn to conduct a
local government election by the Rivers State
Independent Electoral Commission, even when
the court had stopped the exercise, would be
made to account for their actions.
The governor-elect maintained that RSIEC
embarked on an illegal local government election
despite the court’s position on the matter.
Explaining that the days of impunity and
corruption were over, Wike noted that Rivers
would be a test case in the fight against
corruption.
He added that his administration would adopt a
comprehensive approach in fighting corrupt
elements in the outgoing administration in order
to entrench fiscal discipline in the state.
“I am not going to be intimidated. The only way
we can work together is to check the ills of the
past. The right thing must be done. Those who
have stolen the resources of the state must be
made to account for them.
“I have the political will to drive the process to
its logical conclusion. The massive stealing of
government resources was a deliberate attempt
to create problems for the incoming
administration,” Wike said.
The governor-elect declared that all backdated
appointments and certificates of occupancy
being hurriedly issued by outgoing governor
would be set aside.
“All the top officials of Amaechi administration
who have refused to cooperate in the interest of
Rivers State during the transition period will
soon cooperate whether they like it or not.
“Those who have closed the courts will be the
same persons rushing to the courts when we
open the courts,” Wike further declared.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Transition
Committee and state Deputy Governor, Mr. Tele
Ikuru, had recommended that the new
administration should carry out forensic audit of
all accounts in view of an alleged looting by
officials of the outgoing administration.
Ikuru pointed out that Amaechi and top officials
of his (Amaechi) administration refused to
cooperate with the committee for a smooth
transition.
The deputy governor urged the governor-elect to
work towards restoring basic services in the
state.
Reacting, the Chief of Staff, Government House,
Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, told our
correspondent that Amaechi was not afraid of
probe and added that the governor had been
transparent and sincere in governing the state.
Okocha argued that there was nothing wrong in
probing any administration, but stated that the
exercise would only becoming a vice should it
(probe) be done with mischief in mind.
“No government that is transparent and sincere
like that of Amaechi will be afraid of probe. It
(probe) is good to do except if it is originally
intended to be a witch-hunt,” Amaechi aide said.
On Wike’s claim that N4.5bn was used to
conduct the council election, Okocha disagreed
with the governor-elect, saying, “He (Wike)
should also understand that he who lives in a
glass house should not throw stones.”
Copyright PUNCH.
Wike, has indicated his readiness to probe the
Rotimi Amaechi administration after being sworn
in as the chief executive of the state.
Wike, who gave this hint while receiving the
interim report of the Transition Committee in
Port Harcourt on Monday, declared that his
administration would carry out a forensic audit
of all government accounts.
He explained that the measure would enable him
to recover funds that might have allegedly been
stolen by top officials of the outgoing
administration in the state.
Wike specifically said that those who
participated in the use of N4.5bn to conduct a
local government election by the Rivers State
Independent Electoral Commission, even when
the court had stopped the exercise, would be
made to account for their actions.
The governor-elect maintained that RSIEC
embarked on an illegal local government election
despite the court’s position on the matter.
Explaining that the days of impunity and
corruption were over, Wike noted that Rivers
would be a test case in the fight against
corruption.
He added that his administration would adopt a
comprehensive approach in fighting corrupt
elements in the outgoing administration in order
to entrench fiscal discipline in the state.
“I am not going to be intimidated. The only way
we can work together is to check the ills of the
past. The right thing must be done. Those who
have stolen the resources of the state must be
made to account for them.
“I have the political will to drive the process to
its logical conclusion. The massive stealing of
government resources was a deliberate attempt
to create problems for the incoming
administration,” Wike said.
The governor-elect declared that all backdated
appointments and certificates of occupancy
being hurriedly issued by outgoing governor
would be set aside.
“All the top officials of Amaechi administration
who have refused to cooperate in the interest of
Rivers State during the transition period will
soon cooperate whether they like it or not.
“Those who have closed the courts will be the
same persons rushing to the courts when we
open the courts,” Wike further declared.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Transition
Committee and state Deputy Governor, Mr. Tele
Ikuru, had recommended that the new
administration should carry out forensic audit of
all accounts in view of an alleged looting by
officials of the outgoing administration.
Ikuru pointed out that Amaechi and top officials
of his (Amaechi) administration refused to
cooperate with the committee for a smooth
transition.
The deputy governor urged the governor-elect to
work towards restoring basic services in the
state.
Reacting, the Chief of Staff, Government House,
Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, told our
correspondent that Amaechi was not afraid of
probe and added that the governor had been
transparent and sincere in governing the state.
Okocha argued that there was nothing wrong in
probing any administration, but stated that the
exercise would only becoming a vice should it
(probe) be done with mischief in mind.
“No government that is transparent and sincere
like that of Amaechi will be afraid of probe. It
(probe) is good to do except if it is originally
intended to be a witch-hunt,” Amaechi aide said.
On Wike’s claim that N4.5bn was used to
conduct the council election, Okocha disagreed
with the governor-elect, saying, “He (Wike)
should also understand that he who lives in a
glass house should not throw stones.”
Copyright PUNCH.
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